Sutton United receive a significant squad boost ahead of their National League fixture at Barrow AFC this Saturday. Manager Chris Agutter has confirmed defenders Will Nightingale and Kwaku Donkor are expected to be available for selection after returning to training.
According to the report from Sutton United Football Club, both players will be assessed in the final session before the trip to Cumbria. Nightingale missed the Bank Holiday Monday home defeat to Wealdstone, while Donkor has been absent since the opening day victory over Woking. Agutter stated, "Will Nightingale and Kwaku Donkor should both be available for selection ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Barrow." The manager added that the defensive duo would be assessed at training but should be back in contention.
Who else is returning to the squad?
Toby Byron's return provides further encouragement for Sutton supporters. The player made the bench for the first time this season against Wealdstone, marking a major step in his recovery from a long-term injury. Byron last featured on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign at Boreham Wood and missed the entirety of pre-season. He has now completed two full training sessions consecutively, though he is not yet considered fully match fit. His presence on the bench on Monday was a welcome sight for the management team.
New signing Omar Mussa has also joined the squad earlier this week as he recovers from a minor knock. The club's treatment room is now occupied by just one player, Jordan Moore-Taylor, who remains sidelined. This improved availability comes at a good time for a Sutton side sitting second in the National League table with 12 points from five games. Their record shows four wins and one loss, leaving them just one point behind leaders Boreham Wood. You can track their progress in the standings.
Who is unavailable for the Barrow game?
One player who will definitely miss the trip is Noah Nzuzi. He is serving the second match of a three-game suspension following a straight red card against Gateshead last Friday. The dismissal was for an off-the-ball incident involving Kyle Ferguson. Nzuzi will also miss the upcoming fixtures against Scunthorpe United and the return clash with Wealdstone on Monday. He is set to return to action ahead of the match against Eastleigh later this month.
What is Sutton United's current form?
The team's strong start to the season is built on a solid defensive foundation. They have scored seven goals while conceding only three, giving them a healthy +4 goal difference. Their recent form reads LWWWW, with the only defeat coming last time out against Wealdstone. This context makes the return of defensive personnel particularly important as they look to bounce back immediately. The full squad list shows the depth Agutter now has at his disposal.
What comes after the Barrow fixture?
Following the weekend's action, Sutton United's next scheduled league fixture is at home to Aldershot Town on October 28th. Aldershot currently sit tenth in the table, making it another challenging encounter. The period between now and then includes the games Nzuzi will miss, so managing the squad effectively will be key. Fans can view the full schedule on the club's fixtures page.
Agutter's main selection decisions will now revolve around integrating his returning defenders while maintaining the momentum that has propelled the U's into the early promotion picture. The confirmed availability of Nightingale and Donkor offers him valuable options as Sutton aim to close the one-point gap at the top of the National League.
