Payne in action for Gillingham

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Doswell ready for Payne challenge

Sutton United manager Paul Doswell aims to help Stefan Payne rediscover his form following his return to the Blue Square Bet South club.

The 20-year-old was snapped up by Premier League side Fulham in 2009 for £50,000 and despite playing a number of reserve-team games, he failed to break into the first team.

Moves to Gillingham and Aldershot were to follow but he has since seen his contract with the Shots cancelled by mutual consent. He has now returned to club that had a major impact on his career, on an eighteen-month deal.

Doswell is delighted to have re-signed Payne and is looking forward to giving him the game time he deserves.

He told the Croydon Guardian: “It is probably the best bit of business I’ve ever done if you look at the figures.

“Stefan is a tremendous footballer, but needs games. He made thirty-five-odd appearances at Gillingham, but got only two starts and it looked like that would happen again at Aldershot.

“If he can get forty or fifty senior games under his belt there is no reason why he couldn’t get back up to where he was. He will score goals.”

Doswell has, meanwhile, sold Joel Ledgister to Hampton & Richmond Borough, for an undisclosed fee - and he become the second Sutton player to move in that direction after Neil Jenkins made a move earlier in the week.

He added: “Joel still has a dream of making it as a pro. He is an excellent player and suits their style of passing football.

“I want to see him play football and if he gets a run of games he will be flying again.”