IT will be the battle of the Billys when Sutton United visit Billericay Town tonight.

Town’s 19-year-old forward Billy Bricknell has netted nine goals for the Ryman League Premier Division side already this season, including one in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at AFC Hornchurch, and will be desperate to add to that tally against the U’s.

Bricknell’s form has attracted interest from Football League clubs Peterborough United, Colchester United and Dagenham and Redbridge.

However, Town will have to be careful not to fall victim to Sutton’s own young goalscoring hero.

Billy Dunn, who scored seven goals in a 14-0 youth team victory last week, climbed off the substitutes’ bench to score his side's winner in Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Canvey Island.

Sutton have emerged from a slow start to the season to hit form in recent weeks.

The Surrey side, who also host Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday, are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions.

That run has carried Paul Doswell's side up to seventh in the league table, just five points adrift of second-placed Staines Town.

And joint-manager Jason Broom is expecting a tough test from the big-spending U’s.

“The players that they have signed are very good players and they will be one of the favourites to win the title this season,” he told the Echo.

“He’s got a good squad there, but then so have we.

“We’ve been decimated by injuries in recent weeks, but we’ve stuck at it and there’s now some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Town have failed to win any of their last three league matches but, having secured draws with third-placed Carshalton Athletic and Hornchurch, Broom believes Billericay will also be challenging for a play-off place before too long.

“We had nine or 10 players out at one stage and I don’t believe there are many sides in our division that could cope with that,” he added.

“But we stuck at it and have put points on the board.

“Players like Ashley Dumas and Neil Marron have been outstanding, while Tim Cole and Steve Heffer are both back now.

“So it's all positive.”

Striker Bradley Woods-Garness is in tonight's squad after recovering from injury, but captain Jamie Dormer will be available for Saturday’s FA Cup tie.