Lowestoft Town joint boss Ady Gallagher believes the Blues are 'about where they should be' in the league given their budgetary constraints.

Supporters have had to swallow a heavy dose of realism so far this season after five years of unprecedented success, which has seen the club enjoy two promotions and finishes of fourth, third and second in the Ryman Premier.

However, those years of continued progression are under a threat after a difficult start to the season. Exits at the first hurdle in both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy have compounded an underwhelming start in the league where Lowestoft sit in 11th.

But Gallagher believes the Blues are victims of their own success when you consider how the fans of today's visitors to the Meadow, Kingstonian, (kick-off 3pm) have reacted to several years of underachievement this season.

'It's a good chance to draw comparisons with Kingstonian – they have underachieved in the last couple of seasons but the supporters have stayed behind the management team,' said Gallagher.

'They have been able to build on their previous seasons at this level and look like they are going to be one of the teams up there come the end of the season.

'They pay very good wages, much more than we do, but we have achieved more than them in the last few seasons - I think that can be forgotten.

'As we've mentioned before we have over-achieved in the last three seasons. We've got a mid-table budget and that's about where we should be.

'But that is a positive as well because we aren't far off the play-off positions. The expectation has dropped a little and everyone is a bit more realistic now.'

Lowestoft are sweating on the fitness of Jake Reed and Michael Frew after the pair both missed the defeat to Enfield last weekend through groin injuries. With Jack Defty and Bradley Woods-Garness out for the forseeable future, Jack Ainsley is likely to lead the line if Frew or Reed are declared unfit.

However, Dan Gleeson returns to the side after serving a one-match suspension and Gallagher hopes the skipper's experience can have a calming effect on the Blues.

'Gleeson coming back is very good news for us,' added Gallagher. 'He has been a major player for us ever since he signed and his experience is invaluable.

'The lads look up to him and he's someone that has an assured presence on the field for us. We're not sure on Jake and Frewy at the moment – they aren't serious injuries but we want to be careful not to aggravate anything.'