EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry says he has admired new signing Joe Christou for quite some time after he joined the National League South club from Thurrock.

The midfielder is expected to be in the squad for today's match against Eastbourne Borough.

And Coventry is confident Christou - who played more than 100 games for Thurrock - will do well at Rookery Hill.

"Joe has been on my radar for quite a while," said Coventry. "I have seen him a few times and I consider him to be a very good player. Now I need him to adapt.

"He is a midfield player who enjoys playing centrally and I think in time he will be there. We will see how things go."

Exiting Rocks are attacking pair Tom Richardson and Calvin Ekpiteta. Richardson scored a hat-trick against Aldershot Town earlier this season on Rocks' journey to the FA Trophy third round.

Ekpiteta's netted a key goal against Chester, also in the FA Trophy, earlier this campaign.

Coventry thanked the pair for their efforts while at the club.