Luke Fontana's return to goal scoring form could not have come at a better time for Carshalton Athletic, who have finally lost patience with his replacement Omari Coleman.

Coleman, 25, who joined the Robins at the start of the season after Fontana suffered a serious stomach injury, was released after Carshalton's tame FA Cup exit at Havant & Waterlooville.

His four goals in 14 games did little to impress the the club's management and they are pinning their hopes on a fit-again Fontana, who found the net in Saturday's 4-1 FA Trophy victory over Potters Bar Town.

"We started the season performing below expectations and part of the reason for that was Omari just did not fire for us," assistant manager Peter Burdett said.

"I think a lot of people were quite surprised we managed to attract him to the club, but we knew him well and were confident he could do a job for us.

"He came with a good reputation but it didn't work out and his overall play just wasn't what we were looking for."

Coleman had a lot to live up to after high-profile spells with Watford, Lincoln and Aldershot, but it was the shadow of Fontana that most hindered him.

Fontana scored four goals in two pre-season games before his last, a brave effort against Raynes Park Vale, left him with a badly bruised spleen.

The injury was not detected immediately and he was eventually diagnosed days later after being rushed into casualty, vomiting blood.

"Luke has never been the biggest of lads but, after his injury, he lost a stone-and-a-half in a matter of weeks," Burdett said.

"There was nothing on him and it was a big worry, so it's just nice to see him back playing football.

"He still looks way off the pace, but he has come back from his holiday looking a lot fitter and stronger."

Fontana made his return as a substitute in last week's 3-0 league defeat to Chelmsford City, before starting against Potters Bar on Saturday.

He scored the Robins' third in a 4-1 win, with Mark Marshall, Alhajie Jabbie and Adrian Toppin getting the other goals.

"It was welcome relief to get back to winning ways, but the main thing for us is still the league," said Burdett.

"The most pleasing thing is we got goals from other areas, which is something we have talked a lot about."

Carshalton have landed a tough tie at home to Heybridge Swifts, who are fourth in Ryman Premier, in the next round of the FA Trophy.

They have an important match at Staines Town on Saturday, when they could field up to three new signings after putting in a string of seven-day approaches.

Carshalton: Seuke, Hartburn, Graves, Cartledge, Boxall, Marshall, Platel, Toppin, Jabbie, Dundas, Fontana (Rivers). Unused subs: L Coleman, Carter.