Manager Steven King is clocking up the miles to ensure Lewes stay on the road to success this season.

King has watched four matches in the last week to assess opponents and players, driving more than 400 miles in the process.

King was in charge of Lewes for their 3-1 home win against Weston-super-Mare last Saturday, before travelling to Welling the next day to watch Fisher Athletic play Eastbourne.

He was at Kingstonian against Dover on Monday night, then sized up tomorrow's opponents Redbridge against Hornchurch the following evening.

King continued his match marathon with a six-hour round trip to Chesterfield on Wednesday to watch Lewes winger Dwain Clarke play a reserve game for Sheffield United, where he is having a week-long trial.

King watched over 120 matches last season, not including his 61 competitive games in charge of Lewes.

He believes his ground-hopping is one of the reasons the Rooks have been flying since he took over a year ago.

They were promoted two divisions to the Conference south last season and currently lie seventh after seven games.

King said: "I want the supporters to know that I'm not just sitting around doing nothing. I am working my backside off for the club.

"For me, being a manager is not just about taking the team on a Saturday. I go to a lot of matches, which helps me know about the opposition and the players we are going to be up against.

"I also learn about players for the future. If I've seen someone play for a team and then they become available later on, I know all about them."

King will not have far to go for his next scouting trip. A special trial day for players who have been released by professional clubs is taking place at Sutton United on Sunday, a stone's throw from his house.

King said: "I'm not going to these games to pick up players. It's about networking. I have been in contact with Sheffield United over Dwain Clarke, so they're another club I have links with.

"Some of our players have come to the club because of these links. Others have come through friends or because I've known them for years. It all helps us at the end of the day because if you look at our squad, we have some quality players."

King has warned his side they are in for a physical game at Redbridge after watching the Essex team.

He said: "Redbridge showed they are one of the hardest workers in the division, so we are going to have to win the battle. If we do that then our football will come through and we should be OK, but it will not be easy."

Defender Francis Duku (hamstring) and midfielder Anthony Storey (calf) both return to the squad.