Danny Hussey wants to get prolific striker Jack Smith smiling again as he bids to seal a swoop for the Pinchbeck United ace.
Smith, who swapped Holbeach United for the Knights in December after a disagreement with then boss Seb Hayes, looks set to return to Carter’s Park ahead of Saturday’s home derby date with Boston Town (3pm).
Tigers boss Hussey put a seven-day approach in for the frontman on Friday – and with Knights player/manager Ian Dunn waiving the need for them to observe the notice, it was expected that he’d sign forms at training last night (Wednesday).
“I’ve not spoken to Jack yet,” admitted the Holbeach chief. “But I’ve got a good relationship with ‘Dunny’ and he has waived the need for seven days.
“Out of courtesy I’ve decided to wait until training to chat to him. I need to have a good chat with him and see what he wants – I know he’s busy with work.
“If he wants to come back full-time, great. If he’d rather be available as and when, then we could work something there too.
“I watched Jack play a few times earlier in the season and he’s a real handful.
“The lads tell me that he had a few differences with Seb (Hayes) and wasn’t enjoying his football. Dunny also said he wasn’t enjoying it at Pinchbeck, so it’ll be my job to get him smiling again.
“He’s at his best when he’s enjoying his football and that’s got to be the aim.”
Smith’s impending arrival should give Holbeach a boost, having been forced to sit out last weekend due to the shock postponement of their trip to Eynesbury Rovers last weekend (waterlogged pitch).
With snow forecast, this Saturday’s Future Lions UCL Premier Division derby with Boston Town is also considered a doubt, too.
Should the game go ahead, Hussey admits that his charges are in for a tougher test than they would have been a few months ago due to the Poachers’ upturn in form.
They’ll have to stop former favourite Ollie Pinner, too, with the midfielder set to make his 300th UCL appearance in the clash.
He said: “I’ve had a good look at their recent form – you have to say they’ve come on a lot.
“It’s always a tasty derby, but maybe earlier in the season we’d have been obvious favourites. Now, we know it’s going to be a very tough game.
“They’ll work hard and we’ll have to match them if we want to get anything from the game.
“I’ve seen that Ollie is set to make his 300th appearance. He’s well thought of at Holbeach and we hope he is fit enough to play. But we obviously hope that he doesn’t enjoy the game too much!”
With keeper Ricky Drury unavailable for the derby, the Tigers have agreed a loan deal for young Australian keeper Ricardo Rizzo from FCV Stamford.
Hussey had hoped to do a deal for defender Harry Peasgood from Stamford, too, but that loan move is currently on hold.
Meanwhile, boss Hussey says that all at Holbeach United want to offer UCL Premier Division rivals Deeping Rangers their best wishes ahead of their historic FA Vase fifth round clash at Willand Rovers on Saturday (3pm).
