Sidley signing spree on the cards

The seasoned campaigner can draw upon a wealth of Southern League experience and is chomping at the bit having recently recovered from a sickening ruptured Achilles injury sustained in February.

Barham has already caught the eye of joint manager Andy Laskey in the few training sessions he has attended at Gullivers.

Laskey said: "He signed last week and would have played for the reserves on Saturday (had their fixture not been postponed). He's been very impressive in training, he's not been at the back or anything like that and he just needs games I would imagine. He talks non-stop 'man on' or 'time' things like that and hopefully he will bring people like Adam (Day) along as well."

Sidley are unsure whether or not Barham will lure another former Southern League player to the club as well and a spanner has also been thrown into the works with regard to Steve Willard's anticipated switch from Rye & Iden.

The seven-day notice of approach has concluded but Laskey commented: "I can see there being some sort of a problem there. That's a bit wait and see at the moment."

Laskey also insisted that Sam Thompson will not be leaving the club in the wake of Bexhill United's approach. He affirmed: "I phoned him up and he said 'I'm not going anywhere'. He's very much part of our plans, he's got all the ability there is going."

United visit Division Two promotion-seekers Oakwood in the quarter-finals of the RUR Charity Cup on Saturday January 10. Jimmy Watson (suspension) and Chris Copley (illness) should both return but Matt Dadswell has gone back to university.