Stacy Long's arrival at Eastbourne Borough could not be better timed.

That is the view of boss Tommy Widdrington who signed the former Charlton, Notts County, Stevenage and AFC Wimbledon midfielder on loan from Ebbsfleet.

Long played for England at every age group level up to under-20 and scored nine goals in 120 Football League appearances.

He joins Borough a week after they lost influential loanee Jamie Taylor back to Sutton United, where he has since signed a contract extension.

Widdrington said: “With Jamie going back to Sutton, I think we needed another body and Stacy has come at the right time for us.

“He brings experience at this level and above – and that is experience of playing in key matches rather than just existing. He is of an age where he can help the guys around him. We are a young group while he has been there and done it. I feel we need a bit of experience.”

Borough will be without suspended trio Ian Simpemba, Frankie Raymond and Sam Cole at home to Basingstoke.

They were due to serve bans away to Bromley last week but that match was postponed.

Widdrington said: “We have to take that medicine. It means someone else gets an opportunity and I every confidence that the lads who come in will do well.”