CANVEY Island have bolstered their squad with the loan signing of an ‘all-action’ West Ham United midfielder.

The Gulls brought in central midfielder Ben Marlow late last night after Charlie Barlow was ruled out for six to eight weeks with appendicitis.

And the 18-year-old has been drafted in by Danny Heale to join fellow Hammers work-experience teen Tim Brown, who has played the last two games for Canvey.

Marlow had his scholarship with West Ham extended to a third year at the end of last season, after a number of impressive performances for the club’s under-21 and under-18 teams.

And Heale said Marlow would bring more quality to the centre of the park in his year at the club.

“We have been after Ben for a while,” confirmed Heale. “He is an all-action kind of player and a few clubs have been interested in signing him but I am so pleased he has decided to come here.”

Marlow impressed in the under-21 clash with Ipswich Town at the start of the month, where he played alongside Barcelona star Alex Song in midfield.

He will go into the squad for this weekend’s visit to Burnham in the FA Cup.

Burnham sit in 20th place in the Southern Premier League and are fired up for the clash after comments made on social media.

Striker John Sands said on Twitter after the draw pitted the Gulls against Burnham “Decent draw in the F.A Cup should see us through to the next round :-)"

Burnham boss Gary Meakin told the Maidenhead Advertiser: “They’ve all got big budgets, big crowds, so they come here with a snobby attitude like 'we’re bigger than them'.

“It’s alright saying that but (if you can’t beat us) it means you are the ones underachieving.”

Ashley Dumas (thigh) and Kevin Dobinson (knee) are rated 50/50 for the match.

Billericay Town are hoping an FA Cup victory will cure their league hangover as they host Raynes Park Vale.

Town lost their fourth league match in a row on Monday night, to local rivals Canvey Island, and manager Craig Edwards is demanding his side fire on all cylinders to send his team through to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the competition.

However, he will once again be without star striker Ricky Sappleton, who has only made four starts all season because of a troublesome hamstring, and Callum Dunne, who is going for a scan this weekend on a knee injury.

Raynes Park Vale currently sit in 15th place in the Combined Counties Premier Division, but have already upset the odds to defeat Ramsgate in the previous round.

Elsewhere, East Thurrock United visit Met Police in an all Ryman Premier League clash.

Rocks scraped through in the last round against AFC Hornchurch on penalties and are hoping to emulate their success in the competition of three years ago – when they reached the First Round.

The winners of the respective ties will receive £4,500.