DANNY Heale believes Canvey Island have solved their goalkeeping problem after signing young West Ham United stopper Tim Brown.

The 17-year-old Hammers schoolboy signed a scholarship with West Ham last summer, and has become a fixture in the under-18s side as well as appearing for the development squad.

But Brown will link up with the Gulls for the rest of the season as he looks to get first-team football under his belt, with Heale confident he will be the answer to their recent troubles between the posts.

“He is the one we have been waiting for,” said the Canvey boss. “We have wanted him since before the season started but couldn’t get him until now. He will join up with the team for training and be in the squad for Margate on Saturday.

“We were spoilt for choice last year with Josh Vickers (on loan from Arsenal) but we haven’t had much luck this year. We have dropped a lot of soft points this term and it is disappointing when you get your noses in front.”

Brown played several times for Dulwich Hamlet last season, when he was called in on an emergency loan and Heale says all the reports have been positive.

“The coaches at West Ham tell me he is ready for this step so I hope he can do well for us.”

Swansea City keeper Lewis Moore has also linked up with the club. The teenager, from Basildon, was an unused substitute for the 1-1 draw with Leatherhead.

Canvey have been through five goalkeepers since the start of pre-season – with Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton and Melvin Minter, who was at fault for the Leatherhead equaliser, in goal during the league matches while Danny Boness, Sam Baxter and Paul Agu have also played in goal.

But Heale hopes Brown is the final piece to the puzzle although, if selected, he will be in for a baptism of fire at big-spending Margate tomorrow.

Margate attackers Ryan Moss and Charlie Allen top the scoring charts, having netted 15 times between them in 10 league games.

“Margate must have a wage bill five or six times the size of ours but we go there with nothing to lose,” said Heale. “I hope we give a decent account of ourselves and show what we can do.”

Victor Osobu returns from suspension and Jay Curran and Tambeson Eyong do not start their bans until next week.