Sutton United boss Paul Doswell insists striker Richard Jolly has a big part to play in his side’s promotion plans, despite sending him out on-loan last week.

The prolific former Carshalton Athletic frontman headed to Ryman Premier League rivals Wealdstone in a bid to rediscover his scoring touch.

Jolly was a big summer signing for United, but has scored only seven goals in 34 appearances since making the switch to Gander Green Lane.

But Doswell is convinced a spell away from the club in familiar surroundings could see him return a changed man and fire Sutton to the title.

“We signed him to be our main goalscorer, there is no question about that,” he said.

“He has contributed in terms of work rate and movement, and he has played well without actually getting the reward.

“He has not had the luck in front of goal he has deserved.

“We thought about it and have decided to get him into an environment he is comfortable with, where he can play four or five games and get his confidence back.

“He scored on Monday against Hastings and I think he can come back ready for the February, March and April run in, when we will need his goals.”

Sutton bounced back from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to title rivals Bury Town in style with a 5-0 thumping of Croydon Athletic.

A 19th minute Tom Hughes own goal sparked the rout as Darren Ebsworth, Andy Forbes, Craig Dundas and Sam Page wrapped up a comfortable win.

And Doswell, who felt his men deserved a draw at the weekend having played for 65 minutes with ten men follwing Francis Quarm’s red card, insists they must kick on.

“We were back to our best on Tuesday. We needed the win, because of the weekend, and the pressure was on,” he added.

The lads responded well and it could have been ten. We were five up inside an hour, then missed a penalty and a hatful of chances.

“But the job is only half done as far as I’m concerned. A win on Saturday and we are bang on our two points a game target.

“We play three of the top six in February and it is important we go into that run on the back of two wins.”

Doswell, who saw Bradley Woods-Garness stretchered off in mid-week, is hoping to added another wide player to his squad ahead of the weekend visit of Aveley.

Sutton’s next three games: Jan 29 Aveley (h), Feb 5 Cray Wanderers (a) 8 AFC Hornchurch (h).