SALISBURY have gained one player and lost another ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup first qualifying round test at Farnborough.

Wide man Flavio Tavares has agreed a deal with the Whites after an impressing off the bench in Monday’s 2-0 league win over AFC Totton.

Tavares, a 22-year-old former Tonbridge Angels and Hayes & Yeading winger, will be dual-registered with Sydenhams One neighbours Downton, but Steve Claridge’s Salisbury will have first call on his services.

“He’s got things to learn, but his attitude is fantastic,” said Claridge. “He just wants to play and has a refreshing approach to the game.

“There were other clubs interested in him and we had to make a decision, so I gave him his chance against Totton and he took it. He’ll bring something different to the squad.”

Tavares’s arrival is offset by the departure of summer strike signing Mark Francis.

The ex-Swindon Town man, signed from Wantage Town in June, has new work arrangements, leaving him “unable to commit more fully to training and to the club.”

Claridge explained: “Mark’s asked to be released and we have mutually agreed it.

“He’s taken on new work commitments and needs to be nearer home. We thank him for his service and wish him well.”

Salisbury are still awash with injuries with the likes of Brandon Mundy (Achilles), Chris Shephard (calf) and skipper Kane O'Keefe (groin) all struggling. Claridge himself suffered two cracked ribs in the previous round of the Cup against Fareham Town.

Admitting he still doesn't know his best team, a frustrated Claridge confessed: "It shouldn't be like this.

“We want to be able to work on something in the week and you should be able to expect to put that into practice on a Saturday, but that’s not the case. Every time we play we get an injury, so we are constantly changing things around.”

FA Cup hosts Farnborough are 19th in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, while Monday's victory over Totton took Salisbury seventh in Division One West.