GIANT-KILLING will be back on the Hamble ASSC agenda now that the squad is returning to peak condition.

The Planemakers have lost their way a bit since pulling off shock early-season wins over Wimborne and Fleet, but that's hardly surprising considering the way injuries and unavailabilities have been piling up at Folland Park.

Hamble's midfield has been decimated by the loss of Mark Smith (pulled hamstring) and groin strain trio Gordon McKean, Neil Janes and promising young right-sided player Steve Batten.

And, up front, the recent torrential rain has provoked a goal drought because last season's leading scorer, ex-Vosper Thornycroft striker Paul Saunders, has been unable to play due to work commitments.

"Paul works for the council and because of the floods, he's been having to work most Saturdays," explained Hamble coach Phil Janes. "The real problem is that he doesn't usually know until the Saturday morning whether he's working or not, so it can throw our plans out a bit. He's only played two full first-team games all season, but he's a quality player and worth keeping patience with."

The rains have also taken their toll on the club's floodlit training area with Janes reporting: "It's like a quagmire at the moment and restricts what we can do. What with that, all the injuries and the fact that we've only played 12 league games because of the weather, it's been a bit up and down for us lately.

"But our injured players are on their way back now and I'm hoping we can run into form again. The commitment is there, but we need to get back into a settled pattern of play. We've got enough ability in the side to give some of the top clubs a run for their money as long as we're all together on it."

Hamble have bolstered their squad by welcoming back two familiar faces into the Folland Park fold.

Ex-Bashley and Brockenhurst midfielder/full-back Dave Lewis is on board again from Lymington Town and outstanding 17-year-old centre-back Luke Byles has returned after a spell at Bashley.

"Luke's a tremendous talent who, I believe, has made the last 64 of the England under-19 squad," said Janes. "I don't know how long we will keep hold of him, but I think he'll stay for at least the rest of the season."