DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE expect to tie up the loan signing of Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper David Button for this weekend s crunch play-off clash with Bradford City. Daggers manager John Still made the move after veteran Welshman Tony Roberts suffered a rib in

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE expect to tie up the loan signing of Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper David Button for this weekend's crunch play-off clash with Bradford City, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

Daggers manager John Still made the move after veteran Welshman Tony Roberts suffered a rib injury during the 2-1 defeat at Gillingham on Easter Monday.

With only youngster David Hogan on the books, Still was quick to use an emergency loan to bring in Button, who has represented England at under-19 and under-20 level, while also spending time on loan at Bournemouth and Grays Athletic this season.

"David is ready to come in, it's just a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's," said Still.

"It's not easy to get a goalkeeper at such a late stage in the season, but he is the first one we went for.

"If he comes in and does well, people will love him, he's got a chance to become a hero, what an opportunity for him!"

Roberts suffered his injury after colliding with Gillingham substitute Dennis Oli, and the prognosis does not look good.

"Tony has possibly cracked a rib," admitted the boss, who confirmed starting Hogan had not been an option.

"He's certainly not fit for the next few weeks, maybe the rest of the season.

"Dave's got no experience, it would be very unfair on him and very unprofessional of us. As much as I'd like to say Dave, go and play. If there was nothing on it, I wouldn't have a problem, but it's too important for everybody."

With Daggers facing Bradford on Saturday, and then leaders Brentford on Tuesday night, the manager launched a passionate plea for supporters to fill Victoria Road in their droves as the season reaches a potentially thrilling climax.

"Anyone that cares about Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club needs to be at that game on Saturday," he said.

"I don't care if you've not been for 10 years, I think anyone whose got any feeling or attachment to this club, needs to be there.

"A couple of years ago, 4,500 were there to see history made when we got into this league, well I'd like to see 5,500 people there to see history made again and this club get into the play-offs.

"Our supporters are very loyal and committed, but we just need anyone whose Dagenham & Redbridge-orientated to say 'I'm going to go there and I'm going to cheer them for 90 minutes and give them every chance'."

Daggers' average home attendances this season is just 1,844, down 8.1 per cent on last campaign, despite the club's greatly improved performances, but Still is desperate for the fans to create a red-hot atmosphere.

"What we don't want is to be playing at home, and the away support is more than the home support," he said.

"We have three home games and we need to fill Victoria Road with Dagenham & Redbridge supporters.

"We need to outnumber and out shout away supporters, and show we're not feeling like the away team, but the home team.

"How ever many supporters the away team bring, we need to make them feel like they are away to give us every chance of the play-offs."

What do you make of the signing of David Button? Email your views to: sport@ilfordrecorder.co.uk

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