John Crumplin has returned to St Leonards less than ten days after the club told him they could not afford to keep him.

"It's good to be back. I had a weekend off and I'm told they missed me at the back," he said.

After a week away from the Dr Martens Eastern Division, Crumplin has returned to The Firs with a desire to win something in the swan-song of his career.

The 34-year-old defender said: "I think the chairman would be pleased with a mid-table finish in the league and we can nick a cup competition.

"The last prize I won was the FA Trophy in 1995-1996 with Woking. It would be nice to get something else before it is too late."

St Leonards boss Micky Taylor said: "I've spent quite a long time with my assistant manager Chick Bain and we've realised we have to include John. We are not promotion contenders but we badly missed John.

"When I make a mistake, I'm not one of those blokes that will just sit there and not do anything about it," said Taylor.

"I'm here to help St Leonards as a manager and I have to look after their best interests.

"I felt that 20 minutes down the road after our 4-3 defeat at Spalding that I should make a hasty phone call to John Crumplin.

"We looked completely lost without him and we have great respect for each other."

Crumplin, who has returned to The Firs on the same deal he was on previously, was originally told by St Leonards that the club could not afford to keep him.

Now Saints have performed a dramatic U-turn and got him back, but other squad players could well be sacrificed as the club makes budget cuts elsewhere.

It was ironic therefore that Crumplin gave away a penalty for Saints on his return to action in the midweek 2-0 Sussex Senior Cup defeat at Eastbourne Borough.

"I was upset about losing in the cup,"said Taylor. "But certainly not about our performance.

"It was a very close game. The match could have swung either way at anytime.

"We have to play Eastbourne Borough another three more times and I can't imagine anyone their end will be licking their lips at the prospect."

Taylor has made a move to sign the Johnson twins, midfielder Chris and striker Andy, on dual registration forms with Lewes.