NEW Cradley signing Richard Andrews thinks he could be the missing link for the team – and he wants to put that right sooner rather than later.

Andrews will make his debut for the Heathens in their home meeting with his former club Eastbourne at Monmore Green next Monday.

He started the season with the Eagles before suffering a broken hand on the opening day of the season – and he’s taken longer than expected to recover.

But he was back on a bike at Somerset last Friday and is hoping for some more practice before Monday night.

Heathens have been struggling since Jack Kingston stood aside in May due to increasing pressure away from the sport with work.

And Andrews said: “They’ve been struggling for points in the middle of their team and hopefully I can put that right for them.

“My first meeting is definitely going to be a strange one but I want to get off to a positive start.

“I’ve been having a laugh with the Eastbourne fans on facebook; they’ve been asking me to go easy on them but I’m a Cradley rider now and I want to get some race wins under my belt again.

“I think I’ll enjoy myself at Cradley like I did at Eastbourne because they’re two similar clubs.

“They’re two of the bigger teams in the National League, they’ve got a great fan base and they’re ambitious just like I am too.”

Heathens will be without James Purchase who has suffered a nasty shoulder injury and needs time on the sidelines.

It means an extended run for Bradley Andrews, who was dropped from the side when Layne Cupitt came in last week.

Boss Will Pottinger said: “We’re pleased to be back up to seven men and this is an opportunity for Brad to continue his development.

“We were keen to keep him involved and he hasn’t had to wait long to get another chance with the team.”

Cradley’s quest for away points was halted by the weather when last Sunday’s clash at Mildenhall was called off.