Tommy Widdrington has challenged some of his Eastbourne Borough players to show they are worth a new deal after securing the future of Darren Lok.

Home-grown forward Lok is the latest player to agree a contract to stay at Priory Lane.

Lok, who has scored ten goals this season, has shaken hands on a new one-year arrangement.

He is the third player in the last fortnight to agree on a new deal and the sixth that Widdrington has tied down for next season.

The 23-year-old follows Ryan Worrall and Nathaniel Pinney in pledging his future to the club, while Ian Simpemba, Sam Beale and goalkeeper Lewis Carey were already on deals which keep them at the club until next summer.

Widdrington is waiting on answers from “two or three” other players, including Simon Johnson, as to whether they will agree to stay.

Now he wants the rest of his squad to show they want to be part of his team going forward.

Widdrington told The Argus: “Darren is a great example. He was very raw when I first came here and wasn’t being pushed forward.

“I had a look at him in a training session and saw something which I liked.

“Now he is a first team regular, starting games rather than being substitute a lot of the time as he was.

“I’m delighted he’s committed hot on the heels of Nathaniel Pinney and feel both lads have further improvement in them and complement each other well.

“I have made offers to two or three other lads. The rest are working hard to force my hand on that side of things.”

Eastbourne Borough will look to make it four wins on the trot when they play Sutton United.

The run has come too late to reignite a play-off push but Widdrington wants to finish the season with a flourish.

He said: “It has helped having had time between the games and being able to prepare as we want to. It has also coincided with everybody being fit and available.

“It is important we keep on doing what we are doing. You don’t want to stand still. You want to finish as strongly as you can and that will give you confidence going into the new season.”

Jack Evans is a slight doubt with a facial injury.

Widdrington may sign a young player released by Albion on an extended trial until the end of the season.