Rushden & Diamonds assistant boss Michael Stone believes tomorrow s clash against Stevenage Boro is a game they need to take points from . Both sides have endured indifferent starts to the 2009-10 campaign although Rushden have won their last two matche

Rushden & Diamonds assistant boss Michael Stone believes tomorrow's clash against Stevenage Boro is a game "they need to take points from".

Both sides have endured indifferent starts to the 2009-10 campaign although Rushden have won their last two matches against Hayes & Yeading and Forest Green.

However, Stone is under no illusions how tough Boro will make it when Rushden come to The Lamex Stadium on Saturday.

"It's a good chance to test ourselves against opposition who are expected to be up there," Stone told the club's official website.

"We have hopes of being up there as well and it's a game we need to take points from. We know Stevenage sometimes start the season a bit slowly but I went to watch them in pre-season.

"They're a very strong outfit, they're a very strong squad and they've brought some very good players in. They'll be very difficult at home and will be looking to kick start their push up the league table."

Boro are likely to be without Chris Day once again with the former Millwall man still nursing a thumb injury. Ashley Bayes will once again deputise and hope to put pressure on manager Graham Westley to keep him as his first choice when Day returns.

Charlie Griffin has been receiving treatment for the groin injury that he sustained against Barrow although Chris Beardsley is likely to get the nod alongside Lee Boylan up front with Mitchell Cole asked to play down the left flank.