Striker Ryan Crisp is in line to make his Dereham Town debut on Saturday, writes Gavin Caney.

The powerful frontman joined the Magpies on a month's loan from Ryman Division One North rivals Needham Market on Tuesday. And his temporary boss Matt Henman feels the move is one that will only help aid his side's play-off push this winter.

The Magpies' manager, whose men host Romford at the weekend, said: 'Ryan will offer a physical presence in forward areas. He's quite pacy and he scores goals.

'I'm sure he's disappointed he's not done as well as he'd have liked this season but he can get some game time with us and we can perhaps be a bit more patient with him as they can in their position (top of the league).

'In the absence of Luke Tuttle, who is important to us in terms of not just scoring goals, Ryan gives the squad a bit more balance. We've been a bit light in forward areas and while Toby (Hilliard), Ryan (Hawkins) and Bussy (Craig Bussens) have worked so hard and done a great job, Ryan's arrival will give them a bit of a breather.

'Ryan feels he hasn't done himself justice and wants to play himself back into the sort of form he expects. With any loan player, you think maybe there's a chance to make it permanent, and we'd be interested, but first and foremost we'll make use of him while we've got him.'

Crisp, 21, made his name as a teenager with Kirkley & Pakefield and attracted interested from a number of Football League outfits, including Ipswich Town. He joined Ryman Premier Leiston last summer before moving to Needham in February.

This term the left-footed marksman has found the net five times during 22 appearances, 12 of which have come from the substitutes' bench.

Dereham's new arrival was unable to make his debut at Brentwood on Tuesday after the league fixture fell foul of the weather. He'll be keen to get off to a winning start at Aldiss Park as the Magpies, who netted through Hawkins, look to bounce back from a 3-1 weekend loss at fellow top-five hopefuls Aveley.

Keeper Andy Wilton was injured during that defeat but could return against Romford. However, the match comes too soon for a host of Town's other injured players.