THE emergence of big Kevin Francis has already lifted morale at the Beehive.

The 6ft 7ins giant, who signed for the Bees two weeks ago, would have started for Studley against Oldbury on Saturday but a waterlogged pitch scuppered any chance of a game.

But the former Birmingham City legend still turned up to training in place of the game.

Bees boss Kevin Rowlands said: "Having Kevin has been nice around the club and has already had an impact on a few of the players. He's really down to earth - there's no airs or graces about him.

"Really, he's put himself under pressure because he's scored at the highest echelons of the game but has never played at this level before.

"It's a hard situation for him because everyone will be expecting him to score a few goals."

Studley were back up to full strength at the Beehive against Ludlow last night.

Rowlands added: "We've got a lot of experience in the side now with Kev, Brett Fleetwood's back and Russell Dodds and suddenly there's a lot of commitment in the team.

"Some of the results were in our favour on Saturday. Ludlow and Biddulph lost again as did Causeway so it wasn't a bad day for us. Saying that we'd rather have three points in the bag against Oldbury.

"I'm disappointed we haven't had a game but they had a waterlogged pitch and there was nothing we could do.

"The squad that we've got I think's strong enough physically and mentally to keep going until the end of the season."