Sutton United host 21st-placed Solihull Moors this Saturday with manager Paul Doswell under no illusions that his side faces another tough test.

The Midlanders' form has improved markedly since the appointment of  former Birmingham City midfielder Mark Yates and his assistant, ex-England goalkeeper Tim Flowers, back in November.

A series of impressive results including victories over Dover and Dagenham and draws with Wrexham and Macclesfield has transformed Solihull from basement boys to one of the National League's toughest teams.

"If you look at the form table, they're right up there," Doswell told SUFCtv

"We are not playing a team in the bottom six, we are playing a team in the top three, for me, and I am keen to get that point across.

“They’ve brought in five League One or League Two players, the likes of Kyle Storer, Jamey Osbourne and Adi Yussuf.

“Someone has either robbed a bank or they’ve got a rich benefactor because these players are on big money. The side they've got now is a top six side."

Yates has a proven managerial pedigree at this level. He led Kidderminster Harriers to the 2007 FA Trophy Final against Stevenage in what was the first competitive match to be played at the revamped Wembley Stadium.

They let a 2-0 lead slip to eventually lose 3-2 in front of a competition record crowd of 53,262. 

Yates then moved to Cheltenham Town in 2009 where he made an unnsuccessful return to Wembley, this time losing the League Two play-off final 2-0 to Crewe Alexandra in 2012. 

Now in the hot seat at the Automated Technology Group Stadium, the 48-year-old has drawn on his exerience and contacts to recruit some impressive names in the battle to beat the drop.

"You look at their midfield," said Doswell. "[Darren] Carter has played in the Championship for Birmingham, Storer's played League One, Osbourne is a very good player who we know from Grimsby and Kwame Thomas who we liked when he was here [on loan from Coventry City earlier in the season].

“I am aware that Yatesy was here tonight (Tuesday), he’s very professional," said Doswell.

"Solihull’s improvement is dramatic and they won’t be anywhere near the bottom four at the end of the season."

Sutton are in fine form themselves this term and Tuesday's 2-0 home victory over Woking stretched United's unbeaten league run to nine matches.

Byron Harrison and Tom Bolarinwa were on target as the U's closed the gap behind leaders Macclesfield Town to just two points and the Sutton boss is happy with the form of the two goalscorers.

"Byron's a six yard box [striker]. He's an absolute machine. He's lethal in that area and that's why we've got him. That was his third goal in four games.

"It was a great second goal. It was a lovely finish from Bolly who is getting better and better. He suffered from not playing many games at Grimsby. We had to be a bit patient with him.

"He hasn't put the world alight since he's been back. He's been decent in patches. But, in the last two or three games we've seen the Bolarinwa that we remember."

Sutton United v Solihull Moors, Knights Community Stadium, Gander Green Lane, Sutton Surrey, SM1 2EY, Saturday, March 10, 3pm.

United have released details of their season ticket offer for 2018/19. For more information visit suttonunited.net