Brighton Rocks lift squad

Connor Tighe celebrates a goal against Hendon in his last Rocks spell / Picture by Tim Hale

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Brighton duo Dylan Barnett and Connor Tighe are back to boost Bognor '“ along with an assortment of players who are over injuries.

Left-sided ace Barnett and right winger Tighe have both had useful loan spells at Nyewood Lane in the past year and are now set to feature again.

Rocks boss Jamie Howell has praised Brighton for allowing the pair to join on a month’s loan, but warned that the deal means they will not be available for every game.

It comes as a number of key men emerge from the treatment room ready for action. Howell says:

* Striker Jimmy Muitt is over a hamstring problem and is fit for the tricky trip to Folkestone this Saturday.

* Centre-half Chad Field has recovered from a similar injury and should also be available for selection in Kent.

* Another central defender, Gary Charman, is set to play his first game after two months out with a broken bone in his foot in next Tuesday’s home Sussex Senior Cup clash with Horsham.

* James Fraser and Alex Parsons will be in the squad at Folkestone after missing last week’s win over Harrow with work commitments.

The good news is tempered by a couple of negatives.

Midfielder Dan Beck is still struggling to get over a hip flexor problem while fellow midfield man Lorenzo Dolcetti is out for a couple of weeks with a thigh strain.

Right-back Calvin Davies sits out the final game of a three-match ban this weekend.

The Brighton arrivals and influx of fit-again players is timely for the Rocks as they head into another hectic period.

They have been glad to have 12 days between games following the postponement of last Saturday’s scheduled home game with Leiston because the Suffolk side were in FA Trophy action. After the trip to Folkestone – who are top of the Ryman premier last-six-games form table and have lost only once at home – it’s Ryman one south side Horsham visiting the Lane in the third round of the Senior Cup next Tuesday.

Then the Rocks – knocked off top spot on Tuesday night when Needham Market beat Harlow – host Havant and visit Met Police in Worthing in an eight-day Christmas and new-year spell.

Howell said: “The rest between games has been ideal. The lads have been training hard and are now raring to go again.

“We’re delighted to get Dylan and Connor back from Brighton.

“When available they will be excellent additions to our squad, but Brighton could still be using them during the month.

“We should have Jimmy Muitt and Chad Field back with us on Saturday and Gary next Tuesday, so, touch wood, we’re going in the right direction.

“We’ll need as many key players as we can at Folkestone because it will be a very tough game – it always is there. They’re in great form.

“Then we have four games in 14 days, starting with the Horsham game, another that we can’t and won’t take lightly.”

Howell said the support of pro clubs like Brighton and Pompey in loaning players was essential for a club like the Rocks.

“Both clubs have been brilliant. Hopefully having players like Dylan and Connor come on loan to us can benefit all parties,” he said.

STEVE BONE

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