EVESHAM United manager Dave Busst has escaped a suspension despite receiving a red card in last month's play-off semi-final against Ashford Town, writes Mervyn Collins.

Busst was despatched to the stand near the end of normal time after encroaching on to the pitch after Jermaine Clarke's equaliser.

The Robins' boss was incensed by his dismissal, saying at the time: "I will be interested to read the referee's report but I certainly won't be going down to London for a hearing."

That wasn't necessary as the disciplinary committee decided against imposing a ban and just warned the manager as to his future conduct.

However, while Busst will be available to look after his troops when the Southern League Premier Division campaign starts on Saturday, August 13, midfielder Steve Duncan will be on the sidelines after being handed a two-match suspension after his sending-off against Bromsgrove.

Another player who is no stranger to seeing red and yellow cards, Lee Knight, has given Busst a boost ahead of Evesham's baptism in the top flight.

The influential central defender sustained a head injury in March that kept him out of the rest of the promotion campaign but he is now ready to return.

"He phoned me out of the blue and said that he was fit and raring to start playing again," revealed a delighted manager who was expecting his no nonsense defender to be missing until early next year.

Knight's return will soften the blow of the decision of Carl Adams to sign for Bromsgrove rather than spend the pre-season with United.

The Common Road chief is still waiting to see if Marc Burrow's work commitments will allow him to remain a part of his plans, but Busst has swooped to sign Moor Green forward Jae Martin.

Martin and Cooper will join their new teammates at the first training session at the ground on Tuesday, July 5.