TNS manager boss Scott Ruscoe backed his side to have more than enough to beat Cardiff Metropolitan in the capital on Sunday.

The Saints winning run was halted last weekend as Bala Town left Park Hall with a point after a goalless draw but Ruscoe is already focused on his South Wales foes and refused to dwell on the dropped home points against the Lakesiders.

Ruscoe will select from a full squad and backed his fringe stars to be ready if they are called upon against the Archers.

“I always expect a tough test down at Cardiff,” said Ruscoe.

“I think they have changed from last season in terms of personnel at the back, with a new keeper, and some new strikers too.

“They always give us a good game and they have excellent defensive organisation but they have had a couple of bad results, including at Newtown on Saturday.

“Their start hasn’t been too good, though, and hopefully that will go in our favour.

“ It’ll be a decent game but we should have more than enough to beat them if we work to the energy levels we have in the past few weeks.”

The Saints boss admitted he faced a selection headache with 21 players pressing for a start at Cyncoed with all keen to impress and staple a regular starting berth.

Even the prolific Greg Draper has been mostly deployed as an impact substitute this season.

“I have 21 players training so you can imagine there’s a headache for selection,” said Ruscoe. “The players who are used to playing and haven’t been have had a great attitude because they know, at the end of it all, it’s about the team.

“That’s what makes TNS such a fantastic club. In football, players step in and out all the time.

“It’s about taking your chance and being professional ,work hard and train well. If you do, you’ll get a chance with me but if you sulk, you might get cast aside.”

Ruscoe also admitted he was enjoying the different names in the upper reaches of the Welsh Premier this season with Barry Town United and Caernarfon Town in the top four.

“It’s a bit of variety,” he added. “We’ve played Caernarfon already this year and they’re on the up and the momentum is with them from last season. Sometimes that happens from teams who are promoted – they’re able to carry it on.

“Barry are in their second season now but last year they came up and did very well too. It’s great to see so many different challenges.”