Lewes are ready to unleash their new strike force in the FA Trophy tomorrow.
Kieron St Aimee and Elliot Charles are joining the Rooks on a month’s loan from League Two outfit Barnet.
The pair are due to go straight into the side for the second round tie with Blue Square south Havant and Waterloovile at the Dripping Pan.
Manager Kevin Keehan is hoping to complete the paperwork on the deals in time for the game and is delighted with their arrivals.
Both are 19 and offer Lewes desperately needed attacking options. They also come recommended by Barnet boss Ian Hendon.
Charles is a 6ft 2in target man who is noted for his ability in the air and speed off the mark. He has made three substitute appearances for the Bees this season.
St Aimee can play as a striker, winger or midfielder. He started his career with Queens Park Rangers where he scored on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Celtic.
He joined Barnet last January and has made 13 appearances for the Bees, including four this term when he has also had loan spells at Grays – where he scored twice on his debut against Wrexham– and Stevenage.
Keehan said: “I am delighted they have agreed to sign because they are both good players.
“Elliot is a real leader of the line. Kieron is a big strong lad who can play up front or in midfield.”
The arrival of the pair coincides with the return to Barnet of midfielder Joe Tabiri after Keehan decided against taking up of the option of keeping the 19-year-old for a third month. Tabiri would have been suspended for tomorrow’s game anyway for an accumulation of bookings.
Fellow loan signing Josh Klein-Davies misses tomorrow’s game with a one-match ban after being sent off at Stevenage last Saturday and young winger David Wheeler is out as he is attending the final stage of England Schools under-18s trials.
However, Danny Cullip and Michael Standing are expected to return after thigh injuries, although the latter has been suffering with food poisoning this week.
Chamal Fenelon could also be available after missing two games with a knee injury but Steve Elliott continues to be ruled out by a similar problem.
Keehan is still looking at ways of further strengthening his squad, although he has ruled out a move for midfielder Scott Chamberlain who was released by Albion last week. Former Rooks striker Lee Farrell continues to interest him and Keehan is also looking at further loan options.
A prize fund of £6,000 is up for grabs for the winners of tomorrow’s game but Lewes will have their work cut out against an under-achieving Havant side, who include three members of the Rooks’ squad that won the Blue Square south title last season in Ian Simpemba, Gary Holloway and Paul Booth.
A fourth, Jay Conroy, appears to be leaving the Hawks but their squad also includes Jack Compton, Gary Elphick and Craig Watkins who have played for Lewes in the past.
Havant are currently 14th in Blue Square south but have been renowned for their cup performances over the last 18 months.
Lewes: Banks, Barness, Cullip, Pearson, Breach, Wallis-Tayler, Standing, Keehan, Cox, St Aimee, Charles, Foreman, Fenelon, Liburd, Rivers, Graves, Ruddy.
Havant: Scriven, Gray, Poate, Elphick, Simpemba, Collins, Holloway, Henry, Compton, Nightingale, Watkins, Booth, Wilkinson, Walker, Martin, Hinshelwood, Ashmore.
Follow Lewes LIVE against Havant at the argus.co.uk/matchdaylive
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