SQUAD building continues to prove a profitable exercise for Evesham United manager Dave Busst who has brought experienced Moor Green forward Jae Martin to Common Road, writes Mervyn Collins.

Martin joins defender Adam Cooper as new recruits ahead of a Southern League Premier Division campaign that will also see the Robins boosted by the return of former skipper Lee Knight.

Knight sustained a head injury in March that kept him out of the rest of the promotion campaign but he now ready to return to action.

"He phoned me out of the blue and said that he was fit and raring to start playing again," revealed a delighted boss 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.

"Carl rang me and invited him along to training. It was no more than that," Busst admitted.

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 although a move to Malvern Town is still on the cards for the utility player despite Busst making it plain that he wants the player to stay at Evesham.

Another player who will be playing his football in the Midland Alliance next term is Karl Lewis although the goalkeeper will be released by Alvechurch should Tim Clarke be unavailable at any time.

Danny and Simeon Williams won't figure in Busst's plans for the new season, but Grant Pinkney, Steve Duncan, Stuart Hamilton, Simon Fitter and Neil O'Sullivan are all expected to be at the first training session at the ground on Tuesday, July 5.

"Danny and Simeon both want regular football and I just can't guarantee it," the manager explained honestly.

Friendly fixtures - Tues, July 19: Alvechurch (a) 7.30; Weds, July 20: Tamworth (h) 7.45; Sat, July 23: Leamington (a) 3; Tues, July 26: Moor Green (h) 7.45; Sat, July 30: Worcester City (h) 3; Tues, August 2: Redditch Utd (h) 7.45; Sat, August 6: Stratford Tn (a) 3.

l THEY say that "football is a funny old game", well, cricket can drive you batty!

Having scored 96 not out for Bret-forton the previous weekend, Grant Pinkney was out for a duck in the Cotswold Hills League last Saturday.