FORMER Hereford United and Evesham goalkeeper Karl Lewis has been snapped up by Bromsgrove Rovers.

Lewis, 20, has opted to join the Victoria Ground club after turning down a move to be Scott Bevan's deputy at Kidderminster Harriers.

Rovers, newly promoted to the Southern League Premier Division, have been on the look-out for a goalkeeper after seeing Danny Crane sign for rivals Corby Town.

Crane was first choice for Rod Brown's team last season after joining on loan from Cambridge United in March but was offered a substantial pay increase to switch to the Northamptonshire outfit.

Lewis was released by Hereford at the end of the season and played the last eight games on loan at the Robins.

Rovers will allow him to train with Hereford for two days a week as part of the deal.

Brown said: "He wants to be a first team 'keeper. He's got a lot of potential and he was by far the best 'keeper we played against last year.

"I am very pleased to get him because I was gutted that Danny had gone."

Rovers have also been rocked by the news midfielder Stuart Skidmore could be out for around eight months with cruciate ligament damage.

Skidmore missed the last few games of last season with a knee injury and a scan has since revealed the need for surgery.

However, midfielders Marlon Walters (knee) and Mark Taylor (arm) and striker Neil Davis (hamstring) should be fit in time for the start of pre-season training on Saturday.