JOE Prodomo hasn’t played a game for Fawley AFC since late August due to back problems.

Nevertheless, the Oilers goalkeeper is in demand.

The Long Lane club have received two notices of approach for Prodomo – one from the player’s old club Bashley and one from his former Christchurch boss Graham Kemp at Hamworthy United.

Fawley’s somewhat bemused manager Colin Lane said: “I find it quite strange that clubs are coming in for Joe when he’s not fit and hasn’t played since August.

“He’s just come back into training and we’re hoping he might get a reserve game in the next couple of weeks, but I can’t see him playing for the first team any time soon.

“At best he might be available for the last two months, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t get a shirt back on this season.”

Although Fawley eventually unearthed a decent replacement for Prodomo in George Passingham, signed from Winchester City, the constant to-ing and fro-ing of ’keepers cost them dear in September and October when they even used a couple of outfielders in goal.

“I didn’t realise until our chairman mentioned it that we got ten out of 18 points from our first six games and now we’ve come into the new year with only 15,” said Lane.

“The goalkeeping business didn’t help, but it’s done now and we’ve got to close that chapter and get on with it.”

Fawley remain second-to-bottom of the Sydenhams Premier but moved to within touching distance of Downton, Bournemouth Poppies and Totton & Eling following an encouraging 4-2 win over Brockenhurst last weekend.

They host high-flying AFC Portchester at their Waterside Sports & Social club headquarters on Saturday.

“January’s an important month for us,” said Lane. “We’ve got some big games coming up against Christchurch, Lymington and (bottom club) Romsey and we need to pick up points.”