Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is unlikely to do a sponsored run to find the extra cash for a new defender, but that is what Hampton & Richmond Borough manager Alan Dowson will do on Sunday.

The Beavers and the Eagles go head-to-head in a pre-season friendly at the Beveree on Monday night, 24 hours after Dowson will have completed the Elmbridge 10K not once, but twice to raise money for a new signing.

The Hampton chief, aware he has already hit the maximum in his playing budget, needs to raise hard cash to finance a swoop for a the centre back he believes would boost hopes of a Ryman Premier League promotion tilt.

And, despite not putting in the best preparation after Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Conference Premier side Aldershot Town, he is determined to get his man.

"I'm struggling to be honest. I spent the day on the lash at Lord's on Sunday when England lost and drank about 20 pints and ate about six burgers," he said.

"The budget has already been agreed, but I'm willing to do all I can to get a little bit more money to get that one player who I think can make a difference."

Hampton fans at the Beveree for Palace's visit will get a first glimpse of how Dowson's team will shape up for the opening game of the league season at Harrow Borough on August 8.

Goalkeeper Seb Brown impressed between the sticks at the weekend, but the manager was delighted with how his men performed.

And he insisted Hampton would be flying come the start of league hostilities.

"We are short of a couple of players but on the whole I'm very pleased with where we are," said the manager.

"I'm going to play the sort of side against Palace that I will be starting the season with and we will stick with it for a couple of weeks and see how it goes.

"We might need to make one or two changes between Monday and the start of the season, but that will be the team I'm going to give the first shot."

Hampton, who drew 1-1 with Spelthorne Sports on Tuesday, conclude their pre-season preparations with the visit of Salford City next Saturday.