Met Police chief Jimmy Cooper thinks he may have unearthed a natural replacement for injured striker Michael Charles.

Eastbourne Borough loanee Dean Bown, signed on dual registration terms last month, has notched three goals in three appearances since teaming up with the Blues including a brace in a 2-2 at AFC Hornchurch last week.

Charles, who was ruled out for the season last month with knee ligament damage, had fired Cooper’s men to a flying start to the campaign.

And the Imber Court manager believes 18-year-old Bown, likely to be with the Blues for the rest of the season, can help keep the Blues in the hunt for a Ryman Premier League play-off berth.

“He is a natural goalscorer and is very much in the same mould as Jonte Smith, who was another good young striker for us,” he said, drawing comparison to the prolific Bermudan youngster whose goals helped Met Police to the FA Cup first round in 2012.

“He is a bit raw, is a similar build and certainly has an eye for goal.

“We’ve made a good start to the season which is something to build on and, hopefully, he can continue the job Michael Charles started.”