Tower Hamlets joint-manager AJ Ashanike expects a tough test against Burnham Ramblers this weekend.

Hamlets will host the 16th place outfit at the Mile End Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off) as they look to climb back up the Essex Senior League table.

“It’s going to be a really tough one but I’m really looking forward to it,” Ashanike said.

“We rested a lot of our first team players for the cup game against Great Wakering as the league is our priority and we want to do well in it.

“Saturday is a big game for us they’ve signed six or seven players in the last few weeks and have got some really good results of late against the bigger sides in the league.”

The manager admits he doesn’t know too much about their opponents but will be doing his homework right up until the kick-off.

“I haven’t had a chance to look at them this season but we need to concentrate on our own game anyway.

“I will call a few managers from around the league and see what I can find out about them because we do need to make sure we get the three points.”

Tower Hamlets will be boosted by the return of first-team players Mata Julio, Jerome Anthony, Lee McKnight, John Watson and Lamar Earle.

“We should have our strongest or one of our strongest teams out so that will help,” he said.

“Hopefully that will mean we can get three points as we really need a win to get us back on track.

Ashanike’s men suffered a 1-0 defeat to Clapton in their last league fixture at the Old Spotted Dog on Saturday which saw them slip down the table to eighth.

The Mile End-based club will now be looking to get back up the table.

They also crashed out of the Errington Challenge Cup with a 3-2 defeat in the third round to Great Wakering Rovers.

James Ross and Ezekiel Kamson both got on the score sheet to level the score line twice in the match.

Kamson’s goal made it 2-2 after 68 minutes but Jay Nash scored late on to seal the Rovers progress in the cup competition.