DAVE Webb is hoping to have the assistant manager situation sorted by the new year.

The Swindon Supermarine boss has been left without a number two since Lee Spalding’s decision to stand down at the Webb’s Wood Stadium at the end of November.

And while Webb has been able to call on the expertise of former Leeds United head coach Dave Hockaday in the interim he knows that the ex-Forest Green Rovers boss will undoubtedly get offers to return to the Football League.

“We are still looking (for an assistant),” Webb said. “It might be a case of having to advertise for the position because we haven’t been able to find one yet.

“Ideally I’d like to have it sorted by the new year, but only if we can find the right person.

“It is great having Dave, I can bounce ideas off him and you can’t do everything yourself.

“But we know that it is not a long-term solution, he hasn’t had any offers from the Football League yet.”

But in the meantime, Webb and Hockaday will be looking to build on Tuesday’s night’s fine 5-2 success over Sholing in Southern League Division One South and West when they make the short trip to Yate.

The Marine chief said he was pleased to see his players enjoying themselves again after what has been a tough period for club.

For several weeks the South Marston outfit have been beset by injuries and club captain Dave Bampton has now been out for nearly two months.

And while there are seven missing through injury for tomorrow’s trip to Lodge Road as well as Ryan O’Hara suspened, Webb says that they will not be making anymore signings.

“It seems as we get one back then we lose another,” the Marine chief said. “We are without Chris Taylor tomorrow after he came off on Tuesday.

“But I don’t want to sign any more players – we have an excellent group here – we just need to get them back on the pitch.”