Craig Eastmond is waiting to find out if he will be suspended when Arsenal roll into town after being sent off against Boreham Wood in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Now 26, Eastmond made 10 appearances for Arsenal before being allowed to leave the club. This season, he has been one of the standout players in non-league.

Eastmond was given a three-match ban for a straight red which should see him available for the Arsenal game with Sutton to face Boreham Wood in an FA Cup Trophy reply tonight, Solihull Moors on Saturday and then Guiseley on Tuesday night.

Simple enough, you would think. However, the weather that’s closing in could see one of these games, at least, postponed. If that happens, Eastmond will not be available to face Arsenal.

“Yes, I’m on tenterhooks,” he said. “It’s an unbelievable situation. I desperately want to play against Arsenal, my old club – but now I just have to wait and hope.

“It was a bad tackle but I never meant to hurt the guy.

“I thought I got the ball first – that was what I was trying to do. There was no intent to hurt. I’m a bit nervous right now. I’m keeping a real close eye on the weather forecasts – the worry is that they say it is going to get colder.

“We have three games, Boreham Wood, Solihull and Guiseley. I am keeping an eye on all their websites as well to check on their pitches.”

Source: Daily Express [hardcopy]