Hastings Town entertain neighbours St Leonards in the first East Sussex derby of the season on New Year's Day.

The two clubs are currently at opposite ends of the Dr Martens Eastern Division.

St Leonards finally put an end to a miserable run of 11 consecutive defeats with a 2-1 victory over Ashford Town on Boxing Day but fledgling manager Glyn White was ill and missed the win.

Andy Thomson stood in for White but the Saints' chief hopes to be well enough to be at the Pilot Field on Tuesday.

And White is desperately hoping for a repeat result. He said: "Hastings are the best team in the division and probably spending the most money.

"On paper we haven't got a chance but in derby games things do turn up."

White's St Leonards side have been boosted by the arrival of two new players to help the club in their relegation battle. Striker Roy Godden has returned from Dartford and he has been joined at the Firs by Mark Lovell, on a month's loan from Gillingham. Club favourite Carleton Chatelier has also returned to the fold after a break from playing.

Meanwhile, Hastings boss George Wakeling has warned his players he will not tolerate another performance like the 3-0 Boxing Day defeat at Eastbourne Borough.

He said: "My players possibly had too good a Christmas. Our effort was below par, it was totally unacceptable," he said. "It's up to the players to correct it and if they don't correct it very, very quickly some of them will have to go."

Hastings will definitely be without French striker Landry Zahana-Oni who has a fractured cheekbone after an off the ball incident in a friendly against Sidley United.

The loss is a huge blow to Town's promotion hopes. The 25-year-old French ace recently signed with the East Sussex club until the end of the season.

The Arrows' other injury concern is Danny Simmonds who is expected to return in two weeks after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.