Eastbourne Borough are hopeful of further strengthening their squad before the transfer window closes after signing two new players yesterday.

Borough signed goalkeeper Michael Jordan and brought in striker Sam Gargan on loan with both expected to be in the squad to face Mansfield tomorrow.

Assistant boss Nick Greenwood was also holding talks with another target last night and has not ruled out further additions before the transfer window shuts on Monday.

Greenwood said: “We are delighted to get Michael and Sam in and there is a possibility another couple might come off.

“We have been working hard to find the right people to bring in since the transfer window opened and not just rush into things. Our form means we haven’t needed to panic and could wait until the right people became available.

“It would be nice to get another in before tomorrow’s game but if not then we have until Monday to do something still.”

Gargan’s arrival fills the gap left by Ashley Barnes’ return to Plymouth, although the Albion striker will have his work cut out to emulate the Argyle man’s impact at Priory Lane.

The 20-year-old has already proven he can score goals in Blue Square premier with three in six games on loan at Lewes earlier in the season while he also spent a month at Blue Square south outfit Havant and Waterlooville at the start of the campaign.

Gargan has only made one appearance for Albion as a substitute back in April last year and his contract is due to run out in the summer.

Borough have signed him for one month initially but there is the possibility of making it permanent if he impresses during his loan spell.

Jordan has also spent time at the Dripping Pan after playing five games for the Rooks last year.

The 22-year-old began his career at Arsenal but never made an appearance for the Gunners before being released in 2006. He has since had spells at Yeovil and Chesterfield and was a free agent after being released by Stevenage.

Greenwood said: “After Monday we are not allowed to sign anybody for a week so it was important to get another goalkeeper to provide cover for Lee Hook and we are delighted to pick Michael up.

“Sam has been around the Sussex scene at various clubs on loan in the last few years and has got goals wherever he has gone. He did well at Lewes earlier in the season so we are confident he can come straight in and play at this level.

“With Ashley leaving, Jean-Michel Sigere (released) and Allan Tait (loaned out) all gone we were a little bit exposed up front if we picked up any injuries but now we have got four strikers who all offer us something different.”

The additions of Gargan and Jordan show Borough are refusing to rest on their laurels despite a run of seven wins from their last nine league games. That impressive form has seen Borough climb from just above the relegation zone at the end of November to tenth place going into tomorrow’s meeting with Mansfield.

Gargan may have to be content with a place on the bench against the Stags if Andy Atkin passes a fitness test on the calf injury he picked up at Woking on Tuesday.

However, he could be asked to partner Atkin with Dan Smith moving to right wing and Jay Lovett switching to left-back in place of the suspended Neil Jenkins.

Mansfield will field a very different side to the one which beat Borough 3-1 at Field Mill in September – with only four players from that clash expected to be in their starting line-up. One familiar face will be Curtis Woodhouse who scored the only goal at Priory Lane for Rushden and Diamonds on the opening day of the season and returns to the Mansfield side after missing the midweek goalless draw with his former club.

Meanwhile, Mo Harkin has become the third of Borough’s four summer signings to be released.

Harkin follows Sigere and Chris Winterton out of Priory Lane after failing to make an impact since joining from Havant and Waterlooville. A problem with his vision has meant the winger has been sidelined since the Boxing Day clash with Lewes.

Eastbourne: Hook, Austin, Baker, Pullan, Lovett, Smith, Smart, Brown, M Crabb, Gargan, Atkin. Subs from: N Crabb, Jordan, Wormull, Harding, Johnson, Xano.

Mansfield: Marriott, Silk, Moses, Garner, Mayo, D’Laryea, Somner, Woodhouse, Briscoe, Duffy, Blackwood. Subs from: Howell, Whatsize, Shaw, O’Connor, Kay, Ameobi, MacKenzie.