Goalkeeper Timms joins Robins

Goalkeeper Ashley Timms has agreed a deal to join Ilkeston FC, manager Kevin Wilson has confirmed.

The 26-year-old (pictured) has been trialling in pre-season and has impressed sufficiently to become our fourth signing of the close season.

The capture of former Manchester City trainee Timms - who will be in tonight’s squad to take on Burton Albion at the New Manor Ground (7.45pm) - brings to an end Wilson’s summer-long hunt for a quality shot-stopper.

The Robins largely relied on loan players between the sticks last season, with Ben Gathercole, Dan Lowson, Dimitar Evtimov and Lloyd Allinson all figuring.

“We are pleased to have the goalkeeping position sorted because I have always said it is a very important one,” said Wilson.

“Potentially Ash has everything. The only thing he hasn’t really got at the moment is minutes under his belt, but that’s something we can give him in pre-season.

“He has an excellent pedigree football-wise, a real presence and is a ‘keeper who I believe can go from strength to strength.”

Timms has served time in prison in the past, but Wilson is keen to give the player a clean slate.

He said: “Everybody deserves an opportunity to try to rebuild themselves and that’s what Ash has come here to do.

“He’s made some mistakes in the past but hopefully now he has learned from them and is moving his life forward.

“He knows how the club is run - professionally and properly - and that people cannot step out of line.

“We have got a good dressing room atmosphere here and that won’t change.”

Laurie Wilson (shoulder) is likely to miss tonight’s game and manager Wilson won’t take any chances with Gary Ricketts (dead leg) and Jamie Clarke (back) if they are still struggling.