Jay Saunders believes new loan signing Jason Adigun is just the man to help Tonbridge build on their fine start to the season.

Boss Saunders is a long-time admirer of the attacking midfielder who first came to his attention in a pre-season friendly against Charlton, shortly after taking over at Longmead two years ago.

A loan deal was discussed with the Addicks at various points but never got over the line and the youngster joined Dagenham in the summer after leaving the Valley.

Saunders learned the Daggers were willing to loan him out and wasted no time in making his move.

Adigun could make his debut this Saturday (3pm) as third-placed Tonbridge bid to extend their unbeaten start to the National League South campaign at home to Hampton & Richmond.

“I tried to get him in last season but the timing didn’t allow us to,” said Saunders, who’s signed Adigun on loan until January.

“I really liked him when I first saw him a couple of years ago and, to be fair, Steve Avory (ex-Charlton academy director) kept offering him to us but every time he was available, we couldn’t do it.

“Then when we did enquire, he wasn’t allowed out, so the timing was never quite right.

“He went to Dagenham in the summer and I get on well with them there.

“They made me aware last week there was a possibility of taking him on loan and it was a no-brainer to do it.

“He adds something different in those forward areas.

“He brings creativity, he drives with the ball, he’s got a change of pace and he can score goals.

“When things are going well, you want to see where you can strengthen and improve.

“If teams are coming here and maybe sitting behind the ball a little bit, it’s good that we have that extra creativity.”

Tonbridge and Hampton are at opposite ends of the table but Saunders expects a difficult game against Alan Julian’s side, having seen them in person.

“I’ve been quite impressed with them,” he said. “I watched them at Maidstone and I thought they were the better side on the night although it finished 0-0.

“I could see a decent side in there. Jules has gone in and changed the way they play.

“Last year they were big and direct and this year he’s got them playing some nice football.

“They’re similar to us in that they’re quite young.

“You’ll get teams who come and have a go because that’s how they play and you’ll get those that sit in.

“We’re certainly more cagey away than we are at home but from what I’ve seen of Hampton, I think you’ll find they’ll come and have a go and the way they play suits them doing that.”

Trevan Robinson and Jamie Fielding scored as Tonbridge beat Isthmian League Merstham 2-1 in the FA Cup second qualifying round last weekend.

Angels missed out on a sixth successive clean sheet when Harry Pointing punished a rare mistake by goalkeeper Toby Steward but the hosts were good value for the win.

They’ve been drawn at home to Walton & Hersham in the third qualifying round on September 28.

Striker Noel Leighton was named on the bench for the first time after recovering from a pre-season ankle injury.

He didn’t get on - Angels not taking any chances with the game tight at the end - and Saunders is considering whether to loan him out to bring him up to match fitness.

“We’ll get some training into him this week and then make a decision,” said Saunders.

“It’s making sure he goes to the right club where they’re going to manage him right.

“I think people get excited because he made the bench but he’s not ready to be starting games yet.

“I’ve had loads of calls from people wanting to take him on loan but we’ll only do it when it’s right.

“We want to get him up to speed as quick as possible, so it’s something we’re keen on, because I’m still confident he’ll score goals at this level.

“If we’d been two or three up with 10 minutes to go on Saturday we’d have put him on but it didn’t work out like that.

“I’d like to have given him a few minutes because he’s worked hard to get himself back a lot quicker than expected.”