The threat of a points deduction hanging over Sutton has done nothing to change Maidstone boss Jay Saunders’ views on the title race.

Saunders ruled his side out of National League South contention after the U’s won 2-1 at the Gallagher on Tuesday night.

But it emerged on Wednesday the Surrey club been charged with fielding an ineligible player – Jamie Slabber – in their 3-0 win over St Albans last month.

As things stand, Sutton are three points behind leaders Ebbsfleet with two games in hand and two clear of Maidstone, who have played a game more.

A points deduction would give Stones a glimmer of hope but Sutton are fighting the charge and Saunders’ mind is fixed on the play-offs.

He said: “I know myself how difficult it is making sure all the paperwork goes through for signing players.

“I’m sure it will sort itself out. If they’ve done anything wrong, it will be an honest mistake. They’d only lose three points, which does nothing for us, but it would be harsh on them.

“Whatever happens, we’re still relying on people to lose games, so we can’t worry about any of that. We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves and try to win our last four games.”

Saunders revealed after the Sutton defeat that key defender Jamie Coyle is unlikely to play again this season.

Stones have leaked 16 goals in 10 games since the centre-half suffered a knee injury, having conceded only 19 in 28 before. It’s a concern, with Manny Parry and Callum Davies still finding their feet as a partnership.

Saunders said: “I just can’t see Coyley getting back before the end of the season.

“I’d love him to but I genuinely don’t believe he will. There’s no reason why we can’t get promoted without him because you get in the play-offs and it’s a lottery but he’s a big loss. You only have to look at the defensive record since he went out."