A week short of six months since U’s came off the pitch after a 1-1 draw with Hartlepool which would prove to be the last game of the 2019-20 season, football returns to Gander Green Lane tonight with the first of the pre-season friendlies at home to Eastbourne Borough. It’s not quite football as it is best known – there won’t be any supporters present as the game is behind closed doors, but it will give Matt Gray’s squad its first warm-up for the National League season which begins at home to Maidenhead on October 3rd.

The game can be watched on a live stream and non season ticket holders can purchase a pass for £5 by going to the club website. They will see goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis and striker Tobi Sho-Silva in U’s colours for the first time, but most of the rest of the squad will be familiar with 14 of the 16 named for that game against Hartlepool still with the club – only loanees Nik Tzanev and Isaac Olaofe have departed. Rob Milsom will be missing tonight as he continues his recovery from a hernia operation.

Eastbourne finished in 18th place in National League South last season, dropping three places when points per game were taken in to account, and one interesting name in their squad is Greg Luer, whose last appearance at Sutton saw him play an outstanding role in Burgess Hill’s shock 3-1 FA Cup success in 2014.

Referee tonight is Nigel Lugg, and his assistants are Alastair Higgs and Harry Yellen.