It's not often non-league players come up against a superstar.

But Jay Lovett and his fellow Lewes defenders will do just that on Saturday when they take on Steve Claridge and his Weymouth team in the FA Trophy at the Dripping Pan.

Claridge, the former Birmingham, Leicester, Portsmouth and Millwall striker, added to his impressive CV in the summer by reaching the final of Superstars, the BBC's revival of the Seventies cult show.

The 37-year-old proved himself a true all-rounder by leading the final at one stage as some of the country's leading sportsmen contested the likes of gym tests, archery, running, swimming, cycling and canoeing.

Things have continued to go well for Claridge since filming Superstars during the summer.

On his return from La Manga, he took over as player-manager of Weymouth and has guided them to the top of the Dr Martens League premier division, topping the scoring charts himself in the process.

It means Ryman League division one south title challengers Lewes are facing one of their biggest tests of the year but Lovett is relishing the challenge.

He said: "We have all been looking forward to this game. This will show us just how far we have come.

"It is a good test for me to play against someone of Steve Claridge's experience and I will have to rise to the occasion.

"I didn't see Superstars but I heard all about it. I have a couple of friends who were at Millwall when he was there and they told me he was one of the fittest players around."

Lovett, 26, is coming to the end of a three-month loan spell from Conference side Farnborough but is in talks about either extending it until the end of the season or making the move permanent.

He made his debut for Lewes at 15 before joining Plymouth Argyle as an apprentice and returning to the Dripping Pan has been an eye opener.

He said: "Everything is different. The way we prepare for games and travel to games. It is much more professional and a very well run football club."

After spells with Saltdean and Crawley Town, Lovett returned to the professional game with Brentford and spent three years at Griffin Park before being released last summer.

He said: "My first year was very good and I played in nearly every game.

"But we had three different managers in three years while I was there. Steve Coppell took over and I only played a couple of games. When Wally Downes took charge I just wasn't involved in his plans."

Lovett was not getting regular games at Farnborough which is why he jumped at the chance to join Lewes.

Tomorrow's game will see him up against two former team-mates. He knows Claridge's strike partner Lee Phillips from their Plymouth days and he played with fellow frontman Scott Partridge at Brentford.

Lovett said: "Weymouth are a very attacking side, just as we are, so you would expect to see goals. We have had them watched and I know Crawley beat them last Saturday. If we can hold them defensively, we can win the game."

Both sides go into the contest on the back of defeats. Lewes suffered a shock 6-1 reverse at Banstead in midweek while Weymouth lost 1-0 to Crawley in their top-of-the-table clash last Saturday.

Claridge said: "Away to Lewes is going to be really difficult one. Against Crawley we lacked quality in certain areas and we will have to make sure we don't do that again.

"We need to start getting the basics right again but I'm convinced this is more of a blip than anything more serious."

Lewes are without suspended skipper Marc Cable and the cup-tied Ben White. Winger Dwain Clarke is doubtful with a recurrence of ankle trouble but Paul Kennett and Danny Davis are expected to be fit to play after flu.