Haywards Heath skipper Alex Meredith is ready to play through the pain barrier in a bid to gain revenge over National Three South rivals Southend.

Meredith had an operation to remove two wisdom teeth on Wednesday and complications forced the dentist to drill through his cheekbone to get to a tooth.

Despite the pain, Meredith is desperate to be fit for the home clash with Southend who pipped Heath to the London One title on points difference last season.

"My face is swollen and it is still bleeding but I am still hoping to play a part," said Meredith who has not missed a game for Heath for two years.

"If I still feel the way I do at the moment then there will be no chance of me playing but I will leave it until the last minute to make a decision because it is such a big game."

Heath sit one place above Southend on points difference in the table making it a real crunch game but it is the memories of last season which give it a real edge.

Heath looked on course for the London One title until a late slip handed Southend the title on points difference and Meredith is looking forward to revenge.

"We beat them at home and only lost by three points away so we were pretty well matched last season but we have improved a lot since then," said Meredith.

"It is just another game really but we felt we should have won the title last season and so this is our chance to gain a little bit of revenge. We are having a Christmas party after the game so a win would make that go with a bit of a swing."

Hastings and Bexhill hope to extend their run as Sussex's only survivors in the Powergen Junior Vase when they go to Aylesford in the fourth round.

The Sussex One side have already beaten Sheppey, Pulborough and Crawley but will find it much tougher against their London Four South East opponents.