DEAN KEATES hailed his fledgling strikeforce and he hopes to have more players available for selection against Sutton United tomorrow.

Kwame Thomas and Dior Angus were both on target in Saturday's 4-1 win over Wealdstone that leaves the Reds fifth in the National League.

Thomas now has eight goals this season, with five coming in February, and Angus has struck twice since arriving at The Racecourse from Barrow on transfer deadline day.

"There is a good relationship being built there and we have also got Jordan Ponticelli," said Keates.

"It has been a bit stop-start for JP but when them two are firing, they are looking to be as good as any partnership in the division.

"Dior is mid to late 20s but he has not been a professional footballer for long so he is still learning.

"He has got a great attitude how he applies himself, the same as Kwame.

"Kwame is getting the goals now that I believe the majority of the performances have deserved.

"He does a lot for the team, he has taken the information on board when we have spoken with him and showed him bits where he needs to be more, and he has put himself in those places.

"He got two strikers goals against Wealdstone; he got himself at the back post and got himself in the middle of the goal, and he was unfortunate with the header that hit the crossbar.

"I am over the moon for them but Saturday has gone and all being well we can replicate that second half performance at Sutton."

Keates will be hoping the duo continue to fire at second placed Sutton who have won their last five games and are only one place behind leaders Torquay United with two games in hand.

He could be boosted by the return of Reece Hall-Johnson and Jay Harris from injury.

"Reece and Jay are just getting on top of their little niggles and they might be in contention for the weekend," said Keates.

Shaun Pearson has been restricted to just three appearances this season because of a foot problem and the Reds' captain is closing in on a return.

"Shaun will be like a new signing for us," added Keates.

"He has come back and played three games, then there was an issue and it flared back up.

"He is starting to integrate back into the group but it is more of a softly-softly approach this time.

"Each day we are picking it up and the last few days there has been no adverse reaction."