Eribenne loan deal collapses
by Paul Baker

Tuesday 7th December 2004

Johnson earns first home vicotry despite Hawks fight back

STEVE Johnson's plans to off-load big earner Chukki Eribenne have been hit by illness.

The former Bournemouth and Havant striker was on the verge of joining Gravesend and Northfleet yesterday on a month's loan.

The Terras boss, who leads his side into action against Weston-super-Mare at the Wessex Stadium tonight (7.45pm), said a deal had been done with the Conference outfit but Eribenne pulled out at the last minute with the flu.

Johnson explained: "Chukki is not figuring in my squad at the moment and so I set up a deal for him to go to Gravesend.

It seemed like a perfect move for the lad and they were keen for him to play in the Conference against Farnborough tonight.

"But when I spoke to Chukki he said he was ill and a bit off-colour and felt he wouldn't be able to do himself justice at the moment.

"Unfortunately that means the deal is now dead in the water because clubs like Gravesend aren't going to wait around."

Meanwhile Eribenne's hopes of getting a second chance to prove himself with the Terras seem remote despite an injury to frontman Lee Phillips.

He'll be sidelined for at least a fortnight after suffering a groin strain in the 3-2 win over Havant on Saturday with transfer-listed Lee Charles being Johnson's favoured replacement.

"Lee Charles came on for Lee Phillips on Saturday and did well," said the manager.

"He scored a goal and caused Havant a few problems and it was good to see.

"I put Lee on the transfer list because I wanted a response from him - it was a sort of a kick up the backside if you like.

To be fair he's done really well since then and I can't ask for more than that.

"Losing the other Lee is a body blow but now Lee Charles has got his chance and hopefully he'll take it."

Charles for Phillips is likely to be Weymouth's only change for the visit of Frank Gregan's Seagulls which means new boys Roy O'Brien, Danny Byrne and Charlie Welch keep their places in the starting line-up while Kieren Keen stays on the bench.

"It was a good performance on Saturday," added Johnson, "and I see no reason to change things.

The new lads showed up well but we must learn to play like we did in the first half for a full 90 minutes.

We were superb early on and then tired a bit after the break and so the boys know what's needed this evening.

"It's important that we now get on a run of good results because draws and defeats are no good to anyone.
It might be that we get a few 5-4s or 3-2s for a while but that's okay as long as we come out on top.

"Weston will be tough and well organised which is a trademark for Frank Gregan's teams. They are one place below us in tenth spot in the table and so there's plenty for both sides to play for."