JOHN Sussex admits Basildon United ‘have to break the cycle’ of disappointing results when they welcome Heybridge Swifts to the Cousins Car Wash Stadium tomorrow.

The Bees have garnered one win from their opening seven Isthmian North outings, with that coming in the form of a 6-0 thumping of Romford.

And boss Sussex, who has been hampered by a succession of injuries and suspensions, is looking to overcome a Heybridge side many tipped for promotion after missing out despite their play-off final win over Maldon & Tiptree last term.

“Heybridge are certainly a top six side and we have had a difficult run of games at the start of the season,” said Sussex.

“After tomorrow, we will have played all of the teams currently in top six barring Coggeshall Town, who we have already beaten in the FA Cup instead.

“We need to break the cycle and get points on the board.”

While Joe Turpin and Adam Vyse will miss out through suspension this weekend, Ernest Okoh and Ayo Odukoya could return having served bans.

And the return of the duo will come as a major boost to Sussex.

“Having Ernest and Ayo back makes a huge difference,” added Sussex, who took charge of the Bees in March.

“They had been playing really well before their suspensions.

“When Ayo is good, he is unplayable.

“He is still raw, but he has got huge potential.

“It’s just a case of him needing to find that consistency.”

While Karl Duguid’s Heybridge are fifth in the standings, the Bees find themselves in 18th spot.