Tooting & Mitcham United boss Craig Tanner cannot help dreaming beyond this weekend’s FA Cup third qualifying round tie and the big names that could be lying in wait.

Should the Terrors triumph at East Thurrock United, they will not only pocket £7,500 in prize money, they will also be in the hat alongside big names including Bristol Rovers, Grimsby Town and Wrexham.

However, the manager inside Tanner insists he will not be distracted from the task in hand and he has done his homework on Saturday’s opponents.

Form is on the Terrors’ side who, aside from a 5-0 mauling in the Robert Dyas League Cup on Tuesday when Tanner fielded a side of mostly academy talent, are unbeaten in seven outings.

Meanwhile, United have won just twice in the past nine games – shipping 16 goals in the process.

“I would be lying if I said I had not thought about getting a big club in the next round, but it is that old cliché of taking one game at a time,” Tanner said.

“The possibility of getting a big club in the next round should be the players’ motivation, and as long as we put in a performance at United I will be satisfied.

“If we come off the pitch not having given the best possible account of ourselves, I will be disappointed. It’s important we have no regrets.”

East Thurrock United accounted for Met Police in the previous round, and Tanner has spoken to his former boss at Met, Jim Cooper, for a few hints and tips.

“I’ve done my research and found out a few things about them, and I’ll be telling the boys at training what we need to do to counter some of their threats,” he said.

“But let’s be honest, I am sure that East Thurrock have also done their homework on us.”

Tanner is sweating on the fitness of Howard Newton after the striker limped out of last weekend’s Ryman Division One South 1-0 win over Herne Bay with a hamstring injury.

The returning midfielder Frankie Sawyer cannot play this weekend due to being cup-tied from his time with Hastings United.

Tanner said: “Frankie left us last year because of the money, he has a young family and we could not match the money Hastings were offering.

“We’ve always kept in touch, and when he decided he’d had enough at Hastings, our chairman got a little more money together and we coaxed him back.”