Updated: United announce double signing

Hastings United Football Club has this morning (Saturday) announced a couple of signings to boost a squad suffering from injuries and suspensions.
Matt Bodkin goes into a challenge during Hastings United's 4-4 draw away to East Grinstead Town on Monday. Picture courtesy Scott WhiteMatt Bodkin goes into a challenge during Hastings United's 4-4 draw away to East Grinstead Town on Monday. Picture courtesy Scott White
Matt Bodkin goes into a challenge during Hastings United's 4-4 draw away to East Grinstead Town on Monday. Picture courtesy Scott White

Jordy Robins, a midfielder who came through the Gillingham FC youth ranks and has been playing on a full time basis in the USA, will go straight into the squad for today's home game against Cray Wanderers, kick-off 3pm.

Also joining is centre-back Jerrome Sobers, who will be available for the home game against Three Bridges on Tuesday night. The 6ft 4in 30-year-old was signed by Ipswich Town for £10,000 in the summer of 2004 and scored on his only appearance for Brentford the following year.

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Sobers has since played for Chelmsford City, Bromley, Braintree Town, Billiericay Town, Kingstonian, Maidstone United and, most recently, Tonbridge Angels.

Sam Cruttwell goes up for a header against East Grinstead. Picture courtesy Scott WhiteSam Cruttwell goes up for a header against East Grinstead. Picture courtesy Scott White
Sam Cruttwell goes up for a header against East Grinstead. Picture courtesy Scott White

The club also made a seven-day approach for another player, but that player has decided to stay at his present club.

Richard Davies and Callum Emptage are set to serve the final game of their respective suspensions today, and Harry Stannard is likely to be out for a couple of weeks after his ankle swelled up like a balloon against East Grinstead Town on Monday.

Sam Cole is waiting for news on when he is likely to have to have surgery and it's unlikely the full-back/wide midfielder, who is under contract with the club, will be available again this season.

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United manager Darren Hare is, however, hoping that midfielder Barry Cogan will return after injury ruled him out of the last two matches and Stephen Butcher should be okay despite going off in the first half against East Grinstead.

Ollie Rowe (broken toe), Simon Johnson (sore Achilles) and Lenny Pidgeley (back) are all playing through injuries.

Steve Watt may be on the bench, but he isn’t yet match fit and Hare has earmarked the games against Hythe Town later in the month as ones he wants Watt ready for.

United - who are five places and seven points outside the play-off spots - have nine games scheduled for January and four of the next five are at home.

TODAY'S FOOTBALL FIXTURES

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RYMAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE Division 1 SouthHastings United v Cray Wanderers (3pm)

MACRON STORE SOUTHERN COMBINATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE Division 1 (3pm)Mile Oak v Bexhill UnitedSteyning Town v Little Common

Division 2Cowfold v Westfield (2pm)

SUSSEX BLUEFIN JUNIOR CHALLENGE CUP 4th round (1.30pm)Montpelier Villa II v Bexhill TownSovereign Saints v RidgewoodWadhurst United v The View

MACRON EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE (2PM) Premier DivisionBattle Baptists v Hollington UnitedOld Hastonians v Robertsbridge UnitedOre Athletic v Hawkhurst UnitedRock-a-Nore v Sidley UnitedSedlescombe Rangers v St Leonards SocialWestfield II v Eastbourne Rangers

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Division 1Icklesham Casuals v HerstmonceuxNorthiam 75 v Little Common IIRye Town v Mountfield UnitedThe JC Tackleway v Crowhurst

Division 2Bexhill AAC v BurwashEastbourne Athletic v TicehurstHastings Athletic v St Leonards Social IIHastings Rangers v Peche Hill SelectMayfield v Westfield III

Division 3Bexhill United II v Sedlescombe Rangers IICatsfield v Pebsham SibexHollington United II v Hailsham AthleticoOrington v Battle Baptists IIPunnetts Town v Bexhill Rovers

Division 4Hawkhurst United II v The JC Tackleway IIParkfield v Mayfield IISandhurst v Bexhill AAC IIWest Hill United v Victoria Baptists

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Division 5Battle Baptists III v Icklesham Casuals IIBexhill Broncos v Wittersham IICranbrook Town v Northiam 75 IIHampden Park v Bexhill SpartansRobertsbridge United II v Sedlescombe Rangers III

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