Josh Jirbandey has not ruled out a permanent move to Lewes.

The 17-year-old defender has been in terrific form since joining the Rooks on work experience from League One promotion hopefuls Peterborough.

He capped another good showing by scoring his first goal for the club in Monday’s 2-1 defeat away to Ebbsfleet United.

But the youngster from Hastings suffered a crushing blow 24 hours later when Peterborough told him they would not be offering him professional terms for next season.

Jirbandey hopes to stay in the professional game but would be happy to play for Lewes in Blue Square south next season if a move to a bigger club does not work out.

He said: “I think it has gone well at Lewes. Obviously there is no pressure because they have been relegated and I am enjoying my time here.

“I am looking for a full-time contract, hopefully a club in the south, and if not a part-time deal at Conference level or Conference south.

“Lewes is a possibility. I am not going to say no to anyone but the higher the better.

“Peterborough have told me I am good enough for League Two or Conference but the fact they hope to be in the Championship next season was one of the reasons they have let me go.”

Lewes caretaker boss Steve Ibbitson said: “If Lewes want to go forward next season they will have to look at kids like him.

“Josh has been with a pro club and has played alongside pro players. With his natural ability he is virtually there and these are the sort of players Lewes should be looking to sign.

“We would encourage him to go to the Pro Exit trials and I hope he gets in with a pro club but if not I hope he comes back to Lewes.”

Jirbandey will line up in a reshaped Rooks defence away to Northwich tomorrow.

Although Danny Cullip returns from suspension, Chris Breach misses the game and Anthony Barness is also doubtful.

Breach is unlikely to play again this season after suffering a sprained ankle at Ebbsfleet.

The former Albion professional, who celebrates his 23rd birthday on Sunday, has been in excellent form recently and his loss is a blow to the Rooks.

He turned in a man-of-the-match display in the 1-0 defeat of Weymouth last Saturday, scoring the only goal of the game. Barness and midfielder Joe Keehan both have on-going ankle problems which they have been playing with recently but are doubtful for the trip to second-from-bottom Northwich.

Goalkeeper Rikki Banks has a slight knee strain but is expected to play.

Winger David Wheeler is not available as he is playing for English Schools under-18s tonight away to Scotland in the Centenary Shield, a match which will be televised live on Sky.

His loss is compensated by the return of Stefan Cox from a three-match ban and Lewes also hope to have teenager Andy Wilkinson available after a back injury ruled him out of the squad on Monday. Wilkinson played for the reserves in a 6-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

The form of Jirbandey and Luke Rooney means Geoff Banks-Smith may miss out again as Lewes can only play two of their three work experience players.

It has been a busy week for Ibbitson and assistants Jason Hopkinson and Steve Eke. The three of them are running the first team, reserves and youth team at present and took charge of four games in five days culminating in Wednesday’s reserve match.

They took the opportunity in that match to look at former Lewes youth player Jack Walder who Ibbitson hopes will return to the club next season. Walder has not been playing football this year after finding his opportunities limited under Kevin Keehan.

Ibbitson also hopes to give an opportunity to Peacehaven winger Callum Saunders in one of the three remaining first-team games. Saunders has featured for Lewes reserves recently.

Lewes: Banks, Barnes, Cullip, Jirbandey, Fisk, Storrie, Standing, Keehan, Rooney, Cox, Rivers, Foreman, Hall, Sutton, Osborn, Bell, Wilkinson, Banks-Smith.

Northwich: Clarke, Joyce, Grant, Bailey, Meadowcroft, Brown, Elam, Crowell, Horrocks, Byrom, Allan, Burns, Richards, Riley, Mullan.