Steve Ibbitson has been given a boost ahead of his first game in charge of Lewes.

The caretaker boss has spoken to all the squad in the wake of Kevin Keehan’s resignation.

There were suggestions some could leave in support of Keehan but every one of them has committed himself to the club.

That includes Keehan’s son Joe and his nephew, Michael Standing.

Joe Keehan has been one of the Rooks’ best players in recent weeks while Standing remains a quality midfielder despite an on-going back injury which makes him doubtful for the visit of Kidderminster today.

Ibbitson said: “I have spoken to all the players and have got a positive response from all of them, which is what I expected.

“They were loyal to Kevin as you would expect because he brought most of them to the club and I wouldn’t expect anything else than that.

“But they are good professionals and I am sure they will go forward in a very positive manner. That is what we have got to try to achieve.”

Standing has been troubled by a back injury since Christmas and, although he has battled on with the problem in recent weeks, Ibbitson believes rest may be the best cure.

The one-time Aston Villa midfielder has not been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks but is determined to recapture the form which made him arguably Lewes’ best player in the first half of the season.

Standing said: “I have been disappointed with my performances since January but I was desperate to play to help the club.

“Up until January I felt I was doing well but the back has been a problem. I have probably only trained once since then and I have played when perhaps I shouldn’t have.

“I should have come off on Tuesday but I knew it was Kevin’s last game.”

Despite his family links to Keehan, Standing is fully behind the new caretaker manager.

He said: “I like Ibbo and I will give him my full support.

“I signed a contract for a year and I intend to honour it.”

Ibbitson will make a final decision on Standing before naming his first Lewes line-up.

He said: “Michael is keen to play. He has seen a physio and we will make a late decision.

“My concern is that if you play people when they are not fully fit you are in danger of losing them for a longer period.”

Ibbitson is sure to get a good reception from Lewes fans for the match with a Kidderminster side who have beaten both Eastbourne Borough and Crawley Town in the last fortnight.

He has had a busy week looking after the reserves and youth team, both of whom played on Wednesday, as well as preparing the first-team for today’s clash.

However, he has also taken time out to thank his predecessor.

Ibbitson said: “Kevin has been really helpful. He said to me anything he can help me with he will. I think the way he has handled things has been very good.”

Craig Stoner has rejoined Bognor from Burgess Hill and goes straight into the side for today’s clash with Team Bath. The goalkeeper left Bognor after seven years to join the Hillians in the summer.

The Rocks have also brought Jordan Hughes back to Nyewood Lane from Portsmouth.