RINGWOOD manager Wayne Lockey has admitted they are lucky to have the services of Bulgarian winger Boris Stankov, whose grandfather of the same name once appeared in the European Cup semi-final.

Stankov is in the country studying and has been snapped up by the Sydenhams Wessex One outfit.

Ringwood host league rivals Farnborough North End tomorrow (3pm) following a terrific Wessex League Cup triumph at Hamble in midweek.

Lockey said: “Boris has got a really good family football pedigree.

“His grandfather played in the European Cup semi-final and his father managed one of the top club sides in Bulgaria as well as the Bulgarian under-21 national team.

“Boris was a great prospect at a young age but, unfortunately, he injured his cruciate ligament.

“At 19, he’s still only young and you can see he is a good player. He’s very quick. It’s just his confidence.

“We are lucky to have him and we hope he can adapt to the physical side because it is very physical in our league.

“He has shown glimpses of what he can do in his first two appearances for us.”

Stankov is likely to feature against North End as Lockey expects to have Nick Howes, Dan Morrell, Ryan Bladen, Tom Burge and Craig Vigar back in contention.

Ringwood had no fewer than 16 players unavailable for their midweek trip to Hamble, which made their extraordinary 4-2 penalties triumph, following a 5-5 draw after extra-time, all the more remarkable.

Lockey, who was unable to name a squad for North End’s visit, has been delighted with Ringwood’s crowd levels this term.

He said: “We’re playing well, but the biggest positive was the attendance last Saturday because our gates are picking up every week.

“I don’t know the exact figures, but considering we were only getting 14 or 15 people at times last season, it was great it was up to 60 or so for our 0-0 draw against Whitchurch.

“People can see what we are trying to do as a club. It’s good to get our name out there and try to make the club a bit better.”

• Christchurch host Wimborne against the backdrop of Priory boss Graham Kemp claiming Magpies have put in a seven-day approach for his injured striker Gareth Barnes.

There was no word coming out of the Cuthbury camp on the issue yesterday or any squad news as Christchurch bid to repeat their 1-0 win at Wimborne in August.

Kemp said: “I haven’t heard anything from Gareth, so I’m not sure what is happening.

“It would be a unique achievement for Christchurch if we could do a league double over Wimborne, although we’re under no illusions how tough it is because they are on a roll and are serious title contenders.”

Christchurch: (from) Kearn, Costello, Dan Taylor, Crutchley, Linpow, Lucas, Lawrence, Keates, M Smith, Osborne, Price, Jeffes, Burden, Fairbrother, Dand, Rideout.

• Pete Smith returns to the side and Jordan Fisk and Carl Chivers could also feature for leaders Poole Town, who host Blackfield and Langley (3pm).

But Taffy Richardson serves a one-match ban, while Aaron Skelton, Dave Sturgess and Stuart Brown are all unavailable.

Poole Town: (from) Jones, Poore, Whitley, Dibba, Lloyd, P Smith, Gill, T Smith, Culliford, Hubbard, Preston, S Smith, Cook, Dovell, Chivers, Fisk, Ackerman.