Bashley manager Geoff Butler is hoping to turn Joss Thomas's stay at the Recreation ground into a permanent one.

Thomas has been an impressive figure in the Bash defence since coming on loan from Salisbury, and Butler reveals that he is in discussion with his old club to try and keep the player.

Bash go to Croydon Athletic tomorrow looking to boost their promotion claims in Ryman League Division 1.

"Second place is up for grabs," says Butler, "and we've stronger and stronger as the season has gone on. We played some of our best football against Hastings last Saturday before the referee abandoned the game at half-time."

The premature end to the game didn't allow Bash to get the best out of former Saints Academy midfielder Luke Byles, pictured right, who was making his debut after joining the New Forest club on loan from Havant.

Byles did get his name on the scoresheet, though, and is revved up for the trip to Croydon who are just below halfway in the table. Butler will run a fitness check on midfielder Graeme Gee, who has missed two games with a knee injury, before finalising his line up.