ALAN YOUNG is keen to help Tommy Saunders rediscover his winning ways, but admits his assistance will only be temporary.

Saunders moved quickly to snap up Young after starting his Hunts Copse managerial career with a disastrous 6-0 defeat at Halesowen.

The former Swindon Town starlet, who was released from the County Ground earlier this season, made an immediate impact by scoring in the 3-1 Dr Martens Western Division win over Clevedon on Wednesday.

Young will be looking forward to adding to his account against Ilkeston tomorrow, the club he netted his first Town goal against in an FA Cup clash three and a half years ago.

But the 20-year-old warns his stay in South Marston will be brief, with a return to the professional ranks in the pipeline.

He said: "It was difficult to accept getting released from Swindon and I wanted to take a complete break from football for a couple of months.

"Five or six pro clubs have shown an interest in me, but I need games to get my fitness back.

"Tommy offered me that and hopefully I'll have a good few weeks here.

"After that I will be looking to have trials at some of the pro clubs."

Meanwhile, Saunders believes his humbling baptism of fire at Halesowen last week was 'a blessing in disguise'.

The new Supermarine manager was mortified after watching his troops slump to the 6-0 defeat but Saunders now believes that the heavy loss provided just the eye opener he needed ahead of Ilkeston's visit.

He said: "I came away thinking 'what have I let myself in for?' but that defeat was probably a blessing in disguise.

"Had we managed to win 1-0 I would have got a false impression of what needs to be done.

"Losing to Halesowen like that showed me the weaknesses of this team and what areas need improving.

"It was crucial to put in a good performance against Clevedon and we did.

"Supermarine on their day have always been able to beat anyone in this division.

"My job is to make sure we do that consistently."

Saunders is likely to keep faith in a three-pronged attack against Ilkeston, with Young operating in the hole behind Jimmy Carter and Dave Toomey.

Defender Andy Coombes has returned to Devizes after guesting in the Clevedon win but Steve Davies is back from Australia.

Giles Harris' suspension is over and he is in line for his first appearance under Saunders at the likely expense of Dave Slattery.

Fellow midfielder Barrie Matthews seems set to join Ryman League Hornchurch.

FIXTURES

Premier Division: Bath City v Moor Green; Chippenham v Havant; Crawley v Grantham; Dorchester v Weston Super Mare; Dover Athletic v Weymouth; Hednesford v Eastbourne Boro; Stafford Rngs v Hinckley; Tiverton v Cambridge City; Welling v Merthyr Tydfil; Worcester City v Nuneaton Boro.

Western Division: Bromsgrove v Bedworth; Cinderford v Cirencester; Clevedon v Shepshed Dyn; Gresley v Solihull Boro; Halesowen v Evesham; Redditch v Taunton; Sutton Coldfield v Rugby; Supermarine v Ilkeston; Team Bath v Stourport ; Yate Tn v Gloucester City.