Brighton hope new signing Pietro Attala will be the final piece in the jigsaw as they push for promotion from the Kent/Sussex Regional League.

Attala has joined after many years in the National League with Canterbury and Southgate and his experience could be a key factor for Brighton who are currently 12 points clear at the top.

The 32-year-old forward made a goalscoring debut as Brighton won 5-2 at Herne Bay last Saturday and he is looking forward to the last seven games of the season after being tempted to the club by player-coach Craig Carolan.

Attala said: "I got a job in Dorking and decided to move to Brighton.

"I bumped into Craig knowing he was playing for Brighton. I went to a training session and I was pleasantly surprised by the standard of the training.

"I also know Bram (head coach Bram van Asselt) quite well. I played against him and against teams he has coached. I knew the coaching was in good hands. The training is very good for that level.

"The club's ambition was part of it. As a player I am trained in teams of a high standard and the training sessions have been with players who want to achieve something.

"Southgate was a lot to do with players wanting to play for England and I was keen to be part of a side that wants to do that, to be progressive and get up the leagues."

Attala, who has played for England B, was impressed by his new team-mates at Herne Bay.

He said: "They are much better than the league they are in and the way they played reminded me of a side in the National League where there is not too much individual ego and a lot of working for each other. That is what you need if you want to be successful."

Attala's arrival has been tempered by the news that Graham Pruce is stepping down from first team hockey.

Pruce's work commitments means he is unable to meet the club's policy on attending training. He will remain at the club though and is happy to be called upon in emergencies.

Skipper Carlo Missirian said: "Graham has been in the first team for 15 years and has made an outstanding contribution to the side.

"He scored the winner against Chichester in our second cup final (2001) and he has been the most skilful player the club has ever had."

Carolan returns to the line-up for tomorrow's showdown with second-placed Tunbridge Wells. The 38-goal striker missed last week's win because he was on coaching duty with South Africa at the World Indoor Championships.

Missirian said: "It is a massive game and it is nice to be going into a game not having to win.

"When we last played them, they really sat back and did not attack us at all. This time they will have to come at us and there will be space to exploit."

Mark Newsom is doubtful for Horsham's trip to Blackheath because of an ankle injury. Andy Simmons is added to the squad.

In the National League, David Litchfield returns to the East Grinstead squad for their home game with Oxford Hawks in Division Two.

Ryan Standing returns to the Lewes squad after nearly three months out through illness as they play host to Hounslow and Ealing. Carl Wright is also back in action after a hamstring problem.