WINCHESTER City have ex-Saints and Pompey defender Jon Gittens to thank for sending a quality striker their way.

Northern Irish frontman Mark Gamble has proved a revelation since being recommended to the club by Gittens, who runs the Southampton Solent University side.

Nineteen-year-old Gamble bagged his first goal for the club in Tuesday's 1-1 home draw with Windsor & Eton, latching onto Mark Jones's flick-on from Pete Smith's corner.

He has already won over the Winchester fans with his assured touch and his pacy, intelligent running and City boss Steve Moss agreed: "The lad's outstanding.

"He's got pace, he's a good finisher and he works tirelessly - and he's a smashing kid too.

"He could have scored more on Tuesday, but he kept breaking away and getting in behind the defence and the rest of our lads were not quick enough to join him!"

According to Moss, Conference South outfit Eastleigh are already sniffing round Gamble, but he said: "Jon Gittens wants him to stay with us.

"Unfortunately we can't sign Mark on contract because he may want to go to the States."

With facial injury victim Ian Mancey making his comeback as a half-time substitute against Windsor and Jamie Musselwhite getting back to his best, City will have a mean strikeforce at their disposal for tomorrow's Division 1 South & West trip to Didcot Town.

However, new defensive signing Franny Dolan is away at a wedding and there are injury doubts over Pete Smith (groin), James Davis (shoulder), Stewart Lang (hamstring) and Wes O'Connor (thigh strain).

Fit-again Tom Vavrecka could be back having resumed training this week.