AFC Sudbury boss David Batch has admitted that he will be resting a few players ahead of his side’s last 16 Robert Dyas League Cup clash against Leiston at the MEL Group Stadium tomorrow night.

Sudbury drew 2-2 with Cheshunt at the weekend and after an action-packed November involving FA Trophy, League Cup and Ryman North action, the Yellows have a flurry of upcoming fixtures this month.

“It’s a chance to keep everyone match fit,” admitted Batch.

“We’ll be resting a few players and this gives other players the chance to come in and have their say.

“It also gives some youngsters an opportunity to be involved as well.”

First-team regulars Sam Clarke, Josh Carus, Greg Crane, and Saturday’s goalscoring saviour Michael Shinn, who rescued a point for Sudbury with a last-gasp equaliser, won’t be called upon tomorrow night as Batch looks to rotate his squad in a fixture-heavy few weeks.

A place in the quarter-finals is up for grabs but Batch isn’t too bothered about the result against one of their Suffolk rivals.

“All we’re looking for is a performance,” said the Sudbury boss.

“It sounds odd but I’d rather play well and go out than play not so well and progress.

“If we perform well and win then great but I’m not overly fussed.”

Sudbury’s opponents Leiston, currently 19th in the Ryman Premier, certainly aren’t taking this competition lightly as they look to build on Saturday’s thumping 6-1 win over Enfield Town and continue to climb up the league table.

The Blues have already convincingly beaten Needham Market (5-2) and Lowestoft (4-1) in previous rounds of the cup this season and are expected to field another strong line-up tomorrow.

Sudbury have been in good form of their own in this competition so far though, seeing off the challenge of neighbours Bury (1-0) and Burnham Ramblers (6-1).

“Leiston are in the league above so it’ll be tough but we beat Bury earlier in the season without a number of key players so it’d certainly be nice to carry the run on,” concluded Batch.