A familiar name is playing a key role in helping Lewes battle against relegation from Blue Square south.

Adam El-Abd is well known, particularly in Sussex, as an important member of Gus Poyet’s developing Albion squad.

Elder brother Joe El-Abd is equally respected in rugby circles as a flanker who captained Bristol and now plays for Toulon in France.

But it is the third of a trio of brothers who is starting to make a name in his own right as Lewes strive to beat the drop.

Sami El-Abd, 22, joined Lewes on loan from Blue Square premier Hayes and Yeading last month and has quickly made an impression.

In three appearances, El-Abd has helped Lewes to two wins, was man-of-the-match in the other game and has been likened to former Albion captain Danny Cullip.

His performances have impressed the Lewes faithful and manager Steve Ibbitson believes he is a key player for the run-in to the season.

The versatile defender is proud of his older brothers but hopes to continue his good form and be known as Sami El-Abd rather than Adam or Joe’s brother.

He said: “It doesn’t worry me being known as Adam’s brother.

“I moved away when I went to Bath University and it was quite nice to get recognition for my own performances (for Team Bath) rather than being referred to as someone’s younger brother.

“I am proud of them both so I don’t mind being known as their brother, because of their sporting achievements, but hopefully they can be known as my brother if I carry on playing as I am.”

El-Abd was with Albion himself until he was 16 and then played for Crawley Town before they went into administration and released their younger players.

Instead, he linked up with Team Bath after going to university there and played more than 100 games for them before the team folded.

A switch followed last summer to Hayes and, although he has played 16 games for them this season, he jumped at the opportunity to return to his Sussex roots with the Rooks.

He said: “I am really enjoying it here and I am just happy to be back playing. I have given it everything I have got at Hayes and left it as long as I could before I had to go out on loan but I didn’t want it to be a complete waste of a season.

“It was a last minute-thing before the loan transfer window closed. James Fraser (Lewes player) sorted it out for me and I was really happy to come down here.

“I will be here to the end of the season. Hopefully good reports will get back to the manager (at Hayes) and I will see what happens but next year I just need to make sure I am playing. I’m not sure whether Hayes will be the right place for me or not so we will see.

“I have a lot to gain coming here. I can’t look too far into the future. I just want to concentrate on trying to win the next game and keep Lewes up.”

It was a measure of his impact that Ibbitson talked about El-Abd in the same breath as Cullip after just one appearance in the red and black of Lewes.

The player is flattered by the compliment but is more concerned with doing the job he was brought in to do, which is helping Lewes stay up.

He said: “I couldn’t wish for better praise. I used to watch Danny play a lot when I was younger. He is sort of a hero at Brighton so I was happy to hear that.

“The aim is to stay up and I definitely think we can. We are looking solid and balanced at the back and in centre midfield. We have a good backbone to the team and there is no reason why we can’t stay up.”