GORDON'S COMMITMENT

Steve said: 'I've known Dean from Palace days and we've always had a good friendship. Dean has had recent spells at Blackpool and in Greece.

'For contractual reasons he can't appear at a level above Conference South this season. He won't be playing tomorrow - something I knew about from our first discussions - but is available against Sutton and then on a game-by-game basis.'

King is taking nothing for granted against Thurrock tomorrow. 'They may have lost seven on the spin but have decent players and I'm surprised to see them struggling. They have a strong physical presence and are a tough side to break down.'

The Express asked about the Rooks' injury and illness situation and got encouraging updates.

Of Kirk Watts, Steve said: 'Kirk's ankle is OK but he's not going to give of his best on the kind of pitches we're seeing at the moment. Max (Hustwick) is over the mumps but has a back niggle. Jay (Lovett) is coming back to full strength but has lost half a stone and since there's not an awful lot to him that's a massive weight loss.'