TERRAS boss Steve Johnson today swooped to sign former Tamworth striker Marvin Brown – but Lee Phillips and Steve Tully are on the verge of departing the Wessex Stadium.
Ex Bristol City starlet Brown is set to replace Lee Phillips in Weymouth’s line up hosting Lewes in Nationwide South tomorrow, 3pm.
Phillips and defender Steve Tully are both close to securing a move to Conference National outfit Exeter City.
Johnson today said he hoped the arrival of 22-year-old Brown would pep up his goal-shy attack who
have failed to net in their last five league games.
He said: “There are still one or two things to sort out but I’m hoping the paperwork can be sorted out and Marvin will be available tomorrow.
“Marvin’s arrival gives me another attacking option in addition to Kirk Jackson, Ludo Cadima and Lee Phillips.
“He has been on the books of Bristol City, Cheltenham and Torquay and recently was at Tamworth.
“It’s likely he’ll play and hopefully he’ll prove to be what we need.
“Obviously there is a bit of uncertainty about the futures of Steve Tully and Lee Phillips.
“Exeter have made us an acceptable offer for the pair and we’ve allowed them to speak to their manager Alex Inglethorpe.”
Tully handed in a transfer request earlier this month after a request to train with the Grecians was rejected by Johnson.
He later told the Terras he wanted to stay at the Wessex Stadium after holding talks with Johnson.
Even if Tully’s potential move to Exeter does not happen before tomorrow, the defender won’t be
lining up against Lewes.
The former Torquay United star fractured a metatarsal bone in his foot at Redbridge last weekend and has been ruled out for the next four to six weeks.
Also definitely missing for Weymouth tomorrow is defender Bradley Thomas who sits out with a one match ban picked up for five bookings.
Defender Dave Waterman could play some part after coming through a reserve game midweek following an ankle operation.
Johnson is urging his side to end a run of two consecutive defeats when the Rooks come to town.
“We desperately need a win tomorrow and also a good performance in front of our fans,” he said.
“We know it’s going to be a really hard game because Lewes are right up there in the play-off positions where we want to be.
“But in a way I think we’ll be better suited playing against them than say a team fighting for their life at the foot of the table.
“We also seem to play better against the passing sides in the division which Lewes certainly are. We’ve worked hard on our training this week and everyone knows how important this game is if we’re going to keep our hopes alive of getting into the play-offs.”
Meanwhile former Lewes assistant manager Johnson admits victory over the high-flying Rooks will be “sweet”.
“I had a year down there as assistant and still am quite friendly with a few of the players, staff, directors and fans,” he said.
“I enjoyed my time at Lewes and I was disappointed when their manager Steven King got the manager’s job over me.
“It will be sweet to get one over on them from a personal point of view but the main thing is getting three points for Weymouth.”
