East Preston are trying to ensure striker Lee Farrell is available for the biggest game in the club's history.

Vic Short's side will entertain Isthmian premier division side Billericay Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup a week on Saturday.

Farrell is due to be away that weekend with the British deaf squad in preparation for the World Cup in Australia at the end of the year.

Short said: "We are trying to secure Lee's release. He is due to be in Milton Keynes with the British squad but I am sure they will understand how important this game is."

EP are already without key defender Duncan Barnes, who is in the Royal Navy and has been recalled to base in Scotland.

Billericay are a full-time outfit who are managed by former Tottenham and Portsmouth defender Justin Edinburgh.

Their squad includes a number of former professionals including ex-Millwall striker Danny Hockton who was at Crawley Town last season.

Short, meanwhile, is just delighted to get a home draw.

He said: "That's all you can ask for. It will be a fantastic day for the club and I just hope we can do ourselves justice.

"Saturday's win against Uxbridge was a great occasion. On Saturday evening, everyone went out and the players took me to a nightclub in Worthing. I won't do that again whatever we do against Billericay - I spent all day paying for it on Sunday."

3rd qualifying rd (Oct 16): East Preston v Billericay, Bognor Regis Town v AFC Newbury, Spalding v Hastings United, Histon v Horsham.