Lowestoft Town director of football Craig Fleming admits the Blues are on the lookout for reinforcements as they step up their bid to snatch a play-off place in the Ryman League Premier Division.

The Trawlerboys welcome high-flying Maidstone United to Crown Meadow this afternoon (kick-off 3pm) looking to close the gap further on fifth-placed Kingstonian.

And Fleming, whose side currently sit five points outside the play-off zone, is keen to bolster his squad in the wake of Manny Osei's departure for Leiston last month.

'I think we've got the talent to be right up there again – in an ideal world we would have another couple of players but we will have to wait and see,' he said. 'Hopefully we can bring one in but some of the money being thrown around the division is incredible.

'It's difficult finding the right player at the right price but that won't stop us trying.

'Any player has got to tick all the boxes because we're not going to bring players in just for the sake of it. We are actively looking though.'

Lowestoft go into today's clash in fine form having registered crucial away wins at Carshalton and Billericay over the past week.

Fleming has challenged his players to maintain this form and ensure they keep the pressure on the teams above them.

'We are on the outskirts now and we need to make sure we don't tail off again,' he said. 'We've been here before where we think we're on a run after two or three games and then we've come unstuck - normally against the lesser teams.

'We've now got a chance to lay down another marker against Maidstone, who are one of the better teams in the division and we want the lads to take it.'

A succession of injuries towards the end of last year threatened to derail the Blues season but players are starting to rediscover their form and fitness. So much so that Fleming believes there isn't another team that can match them for ability in the Ryman Premier Division.

'I always believed we would be right up there again,' he said. 'When we've got a full squad to choose from I honestly believe we're the best team in the division.

'I'm obviously biased on that but I do. We shouldn't fear anyone at this level.'

Lowestoft are likely to stick with the same side that won at Billericay although Curtis Haynes-Brown could come back into contention. Adam Smith remains a doubt with a knee injury.