A Kings Langley side ravaged by returning loanees and suspension will make the trip to Welwyn Garden City on Saturday afternoon, with the hope of adding to their impressive recent points tally.

They went into the weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Stotfold knowing their two leading goal threats so far this campaign, Bradley Smith and Jonathan Lawson, would play no further part in their season, after their loan spells came to an end, and centre-back Ali Gould also returned to his parent club, Watford FC. Kings were left shorthanded and Jordan Parkes was forced to name himself in the starting lineup for only the second time this term - a move that looked like a masterstroke when he converted a first-half penalty to draw the sides level.

His later involvement in affairs was less favourable, receiving a second yellow card that ended his say in the tie, and will also see him miss the trip to Welwyn on Saturday.

Behind such a backdrop, the point picked up at The Orbital Fasteners Stadium was a valiant one, and they can certainly take heart from the spirit shown in defying the trauma of the week beforehand to produce a worthy performance. However, the same troubles will face them this weekend and they’ll head to Welwyn expecting a greater challenge, with Parkes unable to play a role, at least with the playing boots.

The Citizens started the season strongly, comfortably sat in the playoff spots when they met Kings in the reverse fixture in November - a clash that ended in a 2-2 draw salvaged by a late Lewis Duberry strike.

Since then, though, they have found life tougher going and have struggled to put consistent points on the board, falling well behind the playoff race. Now in eighth and 12 points off the top five, they’re yet to win since Boxing Day and conceded late on to lose at home to Berkhamsted on Tuesday evening. Before then, they could only return from North Leigh, the league’s bottom side, with a solitary point.

The poor run stretches further, with just a pair of wins since that draw at The Orbital Fasteners, and that barren patch will at least give Kings hope they can battle past adversity and give their hosts a tough test.

After defeat against promotion-chasing Berkhamsted on Tuesday, Welwyn return home for a second consecutive fixture at Herns Way to face Kings on Saturday. Following that, they travel to Enfield for another midweek tie that rounds off a hectic eight-day period that could leave them with tired legs and frazzled minds - a vulnerability Kings will hope to prey upon.

Attacking pairing Lewis Taafe and Bradley Watkins will pose the main threat, combining for 11 league goals to date, and both possess plenty of experience that they’ll look to call upon to get a result on Saturday.

If they’re to add to their tally for the season, they’ll have to find a way past Adisorn Connolly in the Kings net - a shot-stopper who finds himself in superb form after a series of late saves secured a point for his side at the weekend.

With no Smith or Lawson to look for, it may be Bentley Assiedou who Kings turn to for some creativity up front. The Watford-loanee has burst into life in a white shirt, impressing with his skill and speed on the flank and bagging a brace against local rivals Leverstock Green a couple of weeks ago.

The gap between Kings and the drop is now comfortable and they find themselves looking up the league standings. Any wins would do wonders in catapulting them towards the top half of a jam-packed table where every point really does count.

Head to Herns Way, AL7 1TA, on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off if you want to cheer on the boys. Tickets will be available on the door.