Nathaniel Peprah Annan

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Peprah-Annan set for second spell?

Defender's absence down to 'illness'

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Ex-Spurs man back at Avenue

by Ky Capel

Nathan Peprah-Annan has rejoined the Magpies - four months after leaving the club.

The defender, whose contract was cancelled by mutual consent back in November, joined Havant & Waterlooville on Christmas Eve but failed to hold down a regular place and has been training with the county town side for the past two weeks.

Director of football Shaun Brooks confirmed the ex-Tottenham Academy man's comeback.

He said: "We've re-signed Nathan on a non-contract basis. He's been very good in training over the past couple of weeks and he has been welcomed by all the players.

"I like him as a player and he is totally focused on his work. I believe Nathan has the potential to be a very good player because he is athletic and technically good.

"We've given him a second chance here and we are pleased to have him back."

Peprah-Annan, who can play centre-back or right-back, returns to the squad at a time when club captain Alex Browne is still suffering from a head injury he picked up a month ago.

Brooks added: "We don't have much cover in defensive areas because of Alex's injury and Gary Bowles lacking fitness following a suspension.

"Alex has been great to be fair. The gash on his head is bad enough but it got infected as well so heading the ball square on is very difficult for him. We threw him on at Weston because he can still flick the ball on with his head but at the moment he isn't able to complete 90 minutes. The fact that he wants to be involved just shows the type of character he is."

Brooks also revealed he has been unable to arrange a friendly this week to determine whether he would be interested in signing former Maidenhead forward Serge Makofo or Portsmouth Academy defender Jon Page.

He said: "We haven't been able to organise a game because of the hectic Easter period so it has been difficult finding opponents.

"I believe Jon Page is currently in exit trials at the moment so we will keep in contact with him. I don't know too much about Serge so we will try to have another look at him."

Joe Oastler, another Portsmouth Academy defender who had caught the eye of Brooks, has joined Bognor Regis Town.

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