CANVEY Island have completed the coup double signing of National League South pair Sam Higgins and James White ahead of tomorrow’s Isthmian North play-off semi-final.

The East Thurrock United duo will be in the Gulls squad to play Bowers & Pitsea on Wednesday evening, having signed on a dual registration basis at the end of March.

Higgins finished the season as the top scorer in the National League South – two tiers above the Isthmian North – with 25 goals in what was another terrific campaign for the Rocks record goal scorer.

The Rocks captain made 49 appearances in total for John Coventry’s men, who finished the season in 15th position.

White made the move to Rookery Hill from Concord Rangers last summer and, despite an injury disrupted season, has featured 45 times.

And Canvey boss Danny Heale says he has used his connections wisely ahead of the tie.

“Whitey and Higgo will be in the squad,” said Heale, who says he does not know whether the pair will start yet. “Whitey gives us cover at centre half and in midfield and everyone knows about Higgo’s quality.

“I feel we have used our connections wisely and thought ahead about what we could do to strengthen our squad.

“We have big firepower in our side anyway.

“We have had a small squad this season and we had two places spare for this eventuality.”

But Heale believes the signing of Higgins and White - who are both non-contracted players - does not make Canvey favourites, insisting all the pressure is on Bowers.

“I am looking forward to it,” said Heale. “We didn’t fancy going to Haringey Borough tomorrow and it’s a local derby and five minutes down the road.

“We go with nothing to lose. All the pressure is on Bowers. They finished third and we are going there to upset the party.

“(Bowers boss) Rob (Small) says they are the underdogs but the pressure is on them.”

The winner will play either Haringey Borough or Heybridge Swifts in Sunday’s play-off final.