ATTACKING bright spark Lerone ‘Rudy’ Plummer has returned to Brockenhurst – just three months after leaving Grigg Lane for Sydenhams Premier Division leaders Winchester City.

Brock manager Pat McManus said at the time of Plummer’s departure that he felt the 20-year-old was still a raw talent and would be better off getting game time with the Badgers and learning his trade in a less pressurised environment.

Since joining promotion-hungry City in November, Plummer – who has proudly worn the three lions with the England learning disabilites team – has made eight Wessex starts and five substitute appearances for Neil Hards’ men, scoring one goal. He is one of three players to have been released by City, along with striker Liam Robinson and centre-back Matt Scott.

“I hate to say I told you so, but what I said prior to Rudy going has borne fruit,” said McManus.

“With all due respect to Winchester, I don’t think they’ve got the amount of time and patience to develop Rudy.”

Having given Plummer his first-team break as a 17-year-old with QK Southampton, McManus knows what makes the young man tick.

“He’s a bit of an enigma and he’s still very raw,” he said.

“But we’re really pleased to have him back at Brock because he does add another dimension to our game.

“On his day he can terrorise the best defenders in that league with his raw pace.”

As an added plus for Brock, wide left player Mark Barker has rebuffed an approach to join Calor Southern Premier strugglers Bashley.

Former Brock boss John Pyatt has already lured the likes of Dave Marden, Scott Joyce and Warren Kenna from the Badgers’ sett, but Barker has opted to stay put at the club he first joined in 2009.

“Mark’s one of our more senior players,” said McManus. “He likes the club and he likes what we’re trying to do here.”

On the debit side, Brock have parted company with experienced former Sholing goalkeeper Scott O’Rourke who has been struggling for availability of late.

With Saturday’s scheduled game against Winchester postponed, McManus fixed up a friendly against his brother Eugene’s side, Bush Hill, which ended 2-2.

All being well with the weather, Brock – a steady 13th in the Sydenhams Premier – will visit Christchurch tomorrow (Wednesday, 7.45pm).