BILLERICAY Town will have the best defensive partnership outside of the National League in weeks to come.

That is the view of manager Craig Edwards, after he added Joe Ellul to his squad following the return of former captain Rob Swaine.

Ellul has impressed for East Thurrock United in the National League South, while Swaine has linked up with Town once again from Bromley, who play in the top tier of non-league football.

And Edwards, who watched his side draw 1-1 with Met Police in the Ryman Premier League on Tuesday, says the prospect of them lining up alongside each other is ‘mouth-watering’.

“I watched Swainey and Joe Ellul and they looked very good together and I would love to have had them on the pitch,” said Edwards, who admitted Ellul missed out only because of an administrative error.

“Both were at the game against Met Police and the prospect of them forming a partnership is mouth-watering. A lot of our problems are defensive and if you don’t look like you’re keeping clean sheets it will be difficult to climb the league.

“The average age of the back-line has been 21 in recent times but we needed experience. We had the best defensive record in the league but we certainly don’t at the moment.

“Swainey and Joe both went and got good offers we couldn’t match but things are different now. If there is a better partnership outside the National League I am yet to see it.”

Edwards says Ricky Sappleton, who impressed at centre-back earlier in the season, will have a knee operation next week and expects him to be back in training three weeks later.

And he is pleased at the options he will have once he returns, after Town dropped more points against Met Police.

“Sapps gives me options in different areas of the pitch,” said Edwards. “The ability and character of these guys means when we click into gear we will be formidable.

“We started well against Met Police and got an early goal (through Abs Seymour) and at that stage I thought we would romp it but they got into the game and had a bundle of shots without creating a clear-cut chance.

“After that we were better and we looked as though we were going to win it. But we are getting there.”