THe man dubbed 'Fed Express' may be out of sight at Hampton & Richmond Borough, but boss Alan Dowson has assured Jerome Federico he is very much part of his National League South plans.
Former Wycome Wanderers trainee Federico, 24, joined Ryman Premier Division Met Police on dual registration terms this week as he continues to battle back from the injuries that saw him miss large parts of last term and this pre-season.
Fed Express: Jerome Federico, centre, in action at Corinthian Casuals' pre-season tournament
Skipper Kieran Murphy and striker Giuseppe Sole are likely to follow him through the Beveree exit in similar fashion when they return from holiday this week.
Greg Akpele also penned dual registration terms with Kingstonian last week, but Dowson insists the quartet are not leaving the Beveree for good.
"We cannot afford to have important players sitting in the stands and not getting games," he said.
"Jerome, Kieran, Greg and Giuseppe are all short of match fitness and need to be playing games.
Comeback trail: Jerome Federico in action earlier this pre-season
"It is no good to them or us to have them sitting in the stands and getting 15 or 20 minutes here and there.
"They are all part of the squad for the season, but need to get fit.
"Kieran and Giuseppe have been away on holiday, so will need to get match sharp before they can play for us. It is just the way it is.
"They will all comeback when the time is right for the team and for them."
Two wins from two games thus far has left Dowson keeping a lid on expectations while at the same time drooling over the prospect of fielding attacking quartet Jamal Lowe, Christian Jolley, Nicke Kabamba and Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick on a regular basis.
Off: Kieran Murphy will be off to get game time at another club, before he returns to action with Hampton & Richmond Borough after his holiday
"As a club, we believe in attacking every game and we believe in the front four too," he added.
"We will never sit back and be happy to defend. We will keep playing attacking football because we have the belief in our ability."
He added: "People are already saying we should be aiming for the play-offs because we are up there now.
"Two wins does not make anyone favourites for anything. We will not stay where we are.
"I'll be happy with 12 more wins this season and finishing fourth from bottom."
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