Kevin Keehan believes new goalkeeper Rikki Banks can be a big hit at Lewes.

Banks, 20, has joined the Rooks on a one-year contract after two seasons at Worthing.

He becomes Keehan's fifth confirmed signing since taking charge at the Dripping Pan.

There will be plenty more to follow as Keehan builds a completely new team ahead of the club's first season in Blue Square premier.

Keehan confirmed yesterday he was in talks with five ex-professionals, including three of the ten players released by Albion at the end of the season.

He wants a second goalkeeper to challenge Banks for the No. 1 jersey in addition to youngster Stuart Robinson, the former Three Bridges stopper, who remains on contract at Lewes.

Keehan said: "Rikki is a big lad with a big presence. When he was at Crystal Palace he was highly thought of.

"He is 6ft 3in, which is the right build for a goalkeeper, has got good hands and is a dominant personality. I am really pleased to get him."

With Simon Wormull and Jean-Michel Sigere - two players Keehan wanted to keep - joining Eastbourne Borough this week, Anthony Barness is the only senior player from last season who could still be at the Dripping Pan next season.

Barness is currently on holiday but will give Keehan an answer on his future when he returns.

Chris Breach, Seb Wallis-Tayler, Chamal Fenelon and Tom Graves join Banks as confirmed signings.

Horsham's Nigel Brake has also agreed a deal with Lewes subject to a successful summer knee operation.

Other players like Dan Beck, Danny Davis and Ollie Rowland, as well as Keehan's own son Joe, will be given the chance to show the manager they are worth a contract when training resumes on Tuesday.

Keehan said: "I have had talks with Dan Beck. There are a few players I have invited along who I know from the past. If they can get back to their best they can be assets but I need to see them first.

"When you have a tight budget you have to spend it wisely.

"With Ollie Rowland, if he can prove his fitness I will probably offer him something. If he can get back to where he was at Eastbourne Borough he will be an asset. He has had problems with his knees which he thinks he has overcome.

"Danny Davis has not lived up to his potential over the last couple of seasons but he sees this as an opportunity. He has to prove to me in training that he is back to his best.

"I am talking to three of the Brighton players and two other ex-pros. I need to have the right senior players who will help the youngsters."

Keehan has not revealed which of the ten Albion players he is talking to but three are already fixed up with clubs and David Martot is looking elsewhere which leaves Gary Hart, Kerry Mayo, Paul Reid, Chris Winterton, Sonny Cobbs and Lloyd Skinner.

Former Aston Villa youngster Michael Standing, who has also played for Bradford, Walsall and Chesterfield, has agreed to join the Rooks unless a Football League club comes in for him.

Lewes begin their pre-season campaign away to St Francis Rangers on July 15, when Keehan will field a mixture of youngsters, before hosting Albion on July 19. After that they will play Burgess Hill away (July 22), Horsham at home (July 24), Hastings away (July 26) and Havant and Waterlooville at home on August 2.