Chris Woollcott believes Canterbury City’s squad are up for two big tests in the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

After a free Saturday this weekend, City have two tough matches in the space of four days.

They are away to free-scoring Sheppey on Tuesday before they host Hollands & Blair next Saturday.

City joint-manager Woollcott said: “They are two big games but we like these sort of games.

“Sheppey and Hollands & Blair are both really good sides, particularly Sheppey going forwards. But we can go there and be positive.

“If you take the Tunbridge Wells game out of it (a 5-0 defeat last month), we have been in quite good form recently, so we are looking forward to it.

“Some of the players have already said that it’s a chance to see where we are at as a squad.

“Let’s see if we can compete with teams at the top.”

City will head into those challenging fixtures after a 1-1 draw at home to AFC Croydon on Saturday.

James Turner netted City’s goal, although Woollcott felt they had enough opportunities to get the win.

He said: “It was just one of those days.

“We couldn’t even single one player out, a lot of players missed chances.

“Conditions didn’t help either side, as well.

“On another day, I’m pretty confident that we would have got three or four.

“If we were not creating many chances, I would be more concerned but we were creating chances.”

They were without defender Liam Quinn who missed out through work commitments but he will return to Canterbury’s squad for next week’s games.

Woollcott explained: “He actually played in midfield against Erith Town (in a 3-2 victory earlier this month).

“It’s great to have players like him and James Turner.

“But Liam knows he has missed a game now, so he needs to work to get his place back.

“It’s good to have someone like Liam who can play in midfield and defence.

“He does have that bit of experience, so he makes a difference when he is on the pitch.”

Woollcott added he and joint-boss Josh Hall are happy with the squad that they have at their disposal, having taken charge just before Christmas.

He said: “We have a small squad.

"I think, at the moment, we have 17 or 18, plus some reserve players knocking on the door.

“On Saturday, we had fresh legs (on the bench) but also players who can really affect the game.

"We are really happy with what we have got.”

• Batten hails strongest squad ever
• Non-League latest
• Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent