GOALKEEPER Nick Eyre has joined Blue Square Premier outfit Grays Athletic on loan until the end of the season. Eyre was replaced by City legend Paul Bastock for the 3-0 win at Weston-super-Mare last weekend. Bastock will be welcomed back to Clarence Park

GOALKEEPER Nick Eyre has joined Blue Square Premier outfit Grays Athletic on loan until the end of the season.

Eyre was replaced by City legend Paul Bastock for the 3-0 win at Weston-super-Mare last weekend.

Bastock will be welcomed back to Clarence Park as Saints continue their bid to rescue a dismal campaign against Basingstoke Town in the Blue Square South on Saturday. The arrival of Bastock has boosted the confidence ahead of the fixture and manager Steve Castle said: "Back-to-back wins is unheard of this season for us. It would be an achievement in itself and the lads deserve it. It would put us in a lot healthier position. We said we had 12 cup finals left and now we have 10 cup finals. We won't gain anything just by winning one game. We really need to be going in to each and every game looking to get the points."

Goalscorer Lee Clarke and full back Scott Cousins staked claims for a return to the starting XI with good showings and Hasim Deen returned with a strong display. Castle said: "I have a selection problem on Saturday and now there is competition for near enough every place in the side. The lads have got to be on their toes. We have James Quilter to come back in as soon as he has finished his suspension. I was pleased with Hasim Deen who can play centre back and right back as well and James Fisher has been a fantastic addition to us.

"A few lads have found themselves left out and Lee Clarke responded in a fantastic way and the same with Scott Cousins. I left Scott out in favour of Marcel McKie who got injured and Scott really showed his worth when he came on."

Midfielder Jonathan Hunt is unlikely to make his first home appearance in the Blue Square South due to an injury picked up playing for the reserves on Monday. The former Premier League player who impressed in spells with Derby County and Birmingham City, featured for the final 10 minutes at Weston-super-Mare but was forced off early in the 1-0 reserve loss to Chelmsford City at Clarence Park on Monday. Castle said: "Jonathan Hunt is on his way back to fitness but he picked up a bit of an injury. With the amount of time that he has had out it is going to be difficult to get him playing first-team football this season. He looked really good last week against Leyton (reserve fixture) and he has been pushing himself very hard in training near enough every day."

Former City striker Kezie Ibe scored the only goal to settle the reserve clash for Chelmsford. The strong Chelmsford side featured another ex-City man in Spencer Knight and former Chelsea defender Joel Kitamirike, who has also played for Major League Soccer outfit Columbus Crew. Simon Martin and Lee Clarke played for Saints.

Tegana James made an appearance from the bench, continuing his recovery from the injury sustained when playing for Potters Bar earlier this season.