Guy Butters has joined the Lewes fight against relegation from the Blue Square premier.

The 39-year-old former Albion favourite has signed on a month’s loan from Havant and Waterlooville and goes straight into the team for Saturday’s home match against Mansfield.

Butters must wait to renew his partnership with fellow former Seagull Danny Cullip because he is ruled out by a one-match suspension.

The arrival of the veteran centre-half is a boost for the struggling Rooks who are down to the bare bones in defence for the visit of Mansfield.

On-loan defender Andy Pearson is also suspended following his red card against Havant during the FA Trophy replay exit on Monday night.

Rooks boss Kevin Keehan believes Butters, who has also played for Tottenham, Portsmouth and Gillingham, still has plenty to offer.

He said: “I watched Guy play for Havant while I was preparing for our game against them.

“I thought he did particularly well but he subsequently broke a hand and has had injury problems.

“He has just got back and it suits me to bring him in as we have a few missing.

“He is someone I got on well with when I was at the Albion and always liked the way he plays.

“He is not as young as he once was but he has a good football brain and can give us the aerial power that we are lacking.

“Danny is out on Saturday but ultimately the idea is to play them together. Guy will play on Saturday and I am also hoping to bring in another player.”

Butters is desperate to play and help Lewes’ battle for survival.

He said: “I am hoping to get some games under my belt which will be good for me but also for Lewes as well.

“I watched the game against Havant and, obviously, I know Danny (Cullip) and Kevin from Brighton and hope I can help them out.

“Most people want to play football week in, week out and at my age I want to play as many games as possible because you never know when it might be your last one.”

Butters is also looking forward to playing alongside Cullip, who he partnered in the centre of the Albion defence during the run to play-off success in 2004.

He said: “It will be good to have Danny when he comes back in and, hopefully, we will be able to get that understanding going again.

“A lot of the game at our age is talking to the younger players and we can bring a bit of experience and use it to good effect. Hopefully it will rub off on the younger players.

“It's going to be a challenge but hopefully I will stay injury free and if we can get a few results under our belts, then who knows what will happen.”