Brakes poised to land Birmingham City youngster

The versatile midfielder already has experience at Conference North level having spent almost four months on loan at Redditch earlier in the season.

Newbury’s arrival will offset the loss of Seb Lake-Gaskin, who has returned to Tamworth after Brakes opted not to extend his loan deal.

Lake-Gaskin’s final game would have been last Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Banbury.

However, despite being named on the team sheet, he failed to take his place on the bench, with Holleran admitting the no-show sealed his fate.

“He wasn’t feeling 100 per cent, but he was still hopeful he’d be there,” said Holleran.

“I named him in the team at 1.45pm but by the time I’d done my bits and pieces, news filtered through that he wouldn’t be able to make it.

“He’s missed two games and two or three training sessions and it’s not good enough.

“There’s no doubting that he’s got ability but he’s far too complicated.

“You don’t expect that from an 18/19-year-old, you want bags of energy and enthusiasm.”

Alex Taylor, Michael Tuohy and Jacob Blyth were on target in the victory over The Puritans, which moved Brakes up to fourth in the Zamaretto Premier Division and justified Holleran’s decision to dispense with his usual 4-4-2.

“We’ve played a lot of teams in a short space of time who have had an extra player in midfield,” he said. “The pitch was very heavy and playing 3-5-2 allowed us to give extra support to Lee Downes and Neil Barnfield.

“It also allowed Barny and James Husband to break and with Michael Tuohy and Alex Taylor scoring from midfield, it showed the system worked.”

The top six now hold a useful five-point cushion over the chasing pack, but with one team set to miss out, Holleran is determined to increase his side’s odds of bagging a coveted play-off spot, starting at The Webbs Wood Stadium tomorrow.

“Swindon and Bedford on Tuesday are games we’re looking to pick four to six points up from.

“With 12 games to go, the aim is to try and drag Truro and Cam-bridge into our little pack.

“Salisbury have taken their eye off the ball a little with the FA Trophy, but now they are out I’d be surprised if they slipped up with their massive resources.

“It would be nice to be playing for all four play-off spots so it is important we close the gap on Truro and Cambridge.

“It’s down to us and if we look after ourselves and keep picking up points, without a shadow of a doubt we’ll close the gap.”

Brakes will be without James Rowe tomorrow, with the striker expected to be out for two to three weeks after suffering a slight tear against Banbury.

n Brakes’ home clash with Didcot Town on Saturday March 26 has been brought forward to a 1pm kick-off to avoid clashing with England’s European Championship match against Wales.