Horsham boss can't wait to unleash all his new signings

Dom Di Paola feels Hornets fans will see the real Horsham when he can unleash all his new signings.
Dom Di Paola is looking forward to having all his new recruits fully fitDom Di Paola is looking forward to having all his new recruits fully fit
Dom Di Paola is looking forward to having all his new recruits fully fit

Supporters have seen only brief glimpses of the likes of Doug Tuck and Eddie D’Sane so far, while Charlie Coppola and David Ray have been denied even the chance to make their debuts in yellow and green by injuries.

Although Horsham have had a reasonable start to the season, Di Paola believes the return to fitness of key players who have been missing will give the side a huge boost. And the good news he is edging closer to being able to field the new faces.

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Midfielder Tuck, recruited from Bognor, may be in the squad for Saturday’s FA Trophy third qualifying round home tie with Southern League central division outfit Welwyn Garden City.

Forward Coppola is also close to featuring but striker D’Sane is around two weeks off fitness and defender Ray is a longer-term absentee.

Di Paola is particularly excited about Tuck’s imminent return, saying he was his ‘number one signing’ in the summer. “Doug’s so close,” said the manager. “He’s done some non-contact work and we’ll see how he is this week. He may well be in the squad Saturday.

“Having people like Doug and Charlie involved will be massive for us. They’re players we were pleased to bring in and we’ve hardly seen them yet.

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“Doug is one of the best midfielders in the division and I can’t wait to have him playing.”

Others to have had an injury-disrupted start are attacker Kieran Monlouis and skipper Jack Brivio.

Monlouis played the whole of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Hornchurch, longer than Di Paola intended because of an back injury to Rob O’Toole that thankfully should not keep him out of action.

Di Paola will assess who’s fit for WGC’s FA Trophy visit, which offers the Hornets the chance of further progress. “There’s no competition we don’t prioritise but certainly the Trophy is a great one to have a run in,” he said.

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Meanwhile the manager hailed a better away defensive performance that secured a point at Hornchurch, saying it was a fair result from a good game. Horsham host Corinthian Casuals in the league next Tuesday.

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