VETERAN Chippenham Town striker Andy Sandell has joined Southern League neighbours Melksham Town on a month-long loan in a bid to regain match fitness.

Sandell, who has played more than 100 times for the Bluebirds since returning to the club in 2015, has yet to make an appearance for Mark Collier's men this season, having missed the majority of pre-season due to an ankle problem.

Sandell said: "I'm very happy to come on loan to Melksham and get playing regularly again.

"I need to be playing at my age and the chance to work with such an exciting young manager (Kieran Baggs) and a very talented bunch of players was something I was desperate to do.

"I hope I can continue the club's current league form and repay the club for helping me.''

Melksham Town chairman Darren Perrin said: "We are delighted that Andy Sandell has agreed to join the club on loan for a period of one month.

"We thank Neil (Blackmore, Chippenham Town chairman), Mark (Collier) and Chippenham Town for all their help and we welcome Andy and hope he enjoys his short stay with us.''

Melksham Town boss Kieran Baggs said: "The fact we are even announcing Sands as a Melksham player says everything about the direction the club is going.

"Massive thank you to the chairman for sorting all this out. Although only on loan, I hope all our supporters enjoy watching him play for us.''

A Chippenham statement said of the 34 year old, "Andy Sandell has agreed to go on loan in a bid to gain match fitness.

"Andy missed a large part of pre-season due to an ankle problem, since then he has been playing catch up and needs game time.

"The plan is that he returns fit and ready to play a big part for us in the National League South.''

Meanwhile, Chippenham have recruited another goalkeeper on a temporary basis following the short-lived arrivals of Shrewsbury Town's Cameron Gregory.

Gregory joined the Bluebirds earlier this week but a training-ground injury at the Shropshire club this morning forced that move to be shelved.

However, Chippenham have secured the signature of Bradley House, from Championship club West Bromwich Albion, on a six-month loan deal.

House has been playing in the Baggies' U23s and joins the Bluebirds for tomorrow's National League South trip to Torquay