Steve Claridge will do a great job for Worthing even if his stay is only a short one.

That is the verdict of the man who tempted him to sign at Woodside Road.

Worthing midfielder Jamie Lawrence is a former team-mate of Claridge and played a key role in the veteran striker's decision to join the Rebels.

Lawrence will line up alongside the 40-year-old striker at home to AFC Wimbledon tonight and insists his pal is not at Worthing for an easy ride.

Former Jamaica international Lawrence played with Claridge at both Leicester and Brentford.

He said: "Danny Bloor (Worthing manager) spoke to me about trying to get Steve Claridge to play. I said he would do a good turn for us. Steve is a top man and plays with a smile on his face.

"And believe me he can still play. He is one of the fittest players I have ever played with.

"It was down to him I got a medal as Steve scored the winner in the Coca-Cola Cup final (in 1997).

"We have been playing well recently and Steve will help us."

How long Claridge remains at Worthing remains to be seen. His television commitments mean he is a busy man but he still has a thirst for playing more than 20 years after making his professional debut.

Worthing have signed him on a match-by-match basis and Bloor will talk to the player further after tonight's game.

Claridge, who has a blossoming career as a television pundit, said: "This is an ideal opportunity for me. I have other things in the pipeline but I love to play football. This fits in with everything else I am doing.

"I have played one game in nine months. I have kept myself fit but there is no substitute for playing.

"I only had the call on Saturday and I spoke to Jamie about it. I am looking forward to it. I think it will be a good game, they (AFC Wimbledon) will bring a few down and it should be enjoyable."

Claridge's only appearance this season was for Bournemouth in a 4-0 defeat against Port Vale in December which was his 1,000th professional game.

Worthing have been operating with a young squad this year, with the notable exceptions of 41-year-old former Albion skipper Paul Rogers and 36-year-old Lawrence, and Bloor believes an extra experienced player will be valuable as the Rebels try to haul themselves clear of the Ryman premier division relegation zone.

He said: "It is a big game against AFC Wimbledon and after Saturday I wanted a big player to come in to help us.

"Steve Claridge is an infectious person and he just wants a game.

"He will play tonight and we will take it from there. We don't have another league game for a week and a half.

"This is nothing to do with money. He is coming down for a game of football and this is about me having to beg, steal and borrow to get players in."

Bloor believes younger players like Jamie Brotherton, Tom Lawley, Rikki Banks and Joe Keehan can only benefit from playing alongside someone like Claridge.

He said: "You don't play 1,000 games unless you can play. Steve Claridge wants to play and is really up for it.

"He can have a major affect on our younger players. People like Paul Rogers, Steve Claridge and Jamie Lawrence have been there, seen it and done it. You can only learn from them."

Claridge's debut is likely to overshadow Mark Knee's 400th appearance for Worthing tonight.

The Rebels will be without the injured James Fraser, plus Tom Smith who has returned to his sports scholarship in America, while Andy Alexander is doubtful with a hamstring injury.