HIGHWORTH Town have made an approach for Chippenham Town stopper Kent Kauppinen as they prepare for the visit of Thame United.

Despite an overhaul in the summer, Jeff Roberts is still conducting his re-building project at the Elms and has targeted the Southern League Premier Division stopper.

With the Bluebirds having recently acquired Darren Chitty from Frome Town, Kauppinen saw himself dropped to the bench on Tuesday night and Roberts has made an audacious attempt to provide competition for current keeper Max Scholfield.

“To go through September unbeaten in the league is a good achievement and we are higher in the league than I would have predicted given the fact we have had to re-build the team,” he said.

“We’re starting to have a bit of a run and we’re now looking at some new faces and I would like a couple more players in certain areas.

“One position we are looking at in particular is the goalkeeper, we have a seven days in for Kent Kauppinen.

“Max is doing a good job but he is playing every game and there isn’t much competition for that role.”

Roberts’ side now face a real test in how far they have come in the past month as they play host to fourth-placed Thame United.

A win would take Highworth level on points with their visitors but Roberts is more than content with the start his side have made.

“I watched Thame on Tuesday night at Brimscombe,” he added.

“The main thing is, if their strikers do get an opportunity, they take it.

“In the second half, I thought Brimscombe were unlucky and didn’t deserve the 5-1 scoreline.

“That is something we need to look at, taking our opportunities when they come.

“We’re in a good position in the league and everybody is beating everybody at the top at the moment, nobody has really broken away.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Royal Wootton Bassett Town will be looking to get a positive result when they host Oxford City Nomads.