Swans may be forced to make emergency signing

Aug 27 2008 By John Whitbread, Staines News

STAINES Town face a goalkeeping crisis ahead of Saturday's Ryman Premier trip to AFC Hornchurch.

Stand-in keeeper Louis Wells is unavailable, and with Shaun Allaway on the treatment table, manager Steve Cordery is sweating on the fitness of James Courtnage, who is still recovering from a knee injury.

"Louis told us he would have to miss this week when he signed on, but we had hoped James would have been fully fit by now," explained Cordery.

"I will see how he is at training, and if it is a week too early I will have to rush round and try to arrange an emergency loan deal.

"This is something we could do without when taking on a tough outfit like Hornchurch."

Staines will also be without midfield enforcer Gareth Risbridger, who is due to have scans on a knee injury suffered at Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Swans have finally added former QPR player Leroy Griffiths to their strike force, after initial negotiations broke down last week.

"Leroy was not enjoying life at Eastleigh as he found it a bit too far to go," Cordery said.

"Happily we managed to sort out a mutually satisfactory deal that did not upset the club's overall wages policy.

"I am delighted to have him in the squad. He adds bags of experience, plus pace and finishing power. It certainly gives a lot of competition up front and it will be my job to try and keep everyone happy.

"There is certainly an excel-lent spirit in the side after a very good start to the campaign, and hopefully we can continue it on Saturday."