POOLE Town are facing a race against time to add former fans’ favourite Karim Benssaouda to their Southern League promotion push.

The popular striker played a pivotal role in Dolphins’ climb through the non-league pyramid before returning to his native Algeria four years ago.

But having recently returned to England, Benssaouda has been training with Tom Killick’s Division One South & West play-off hopefuls.

He showed he had lost none of his class during a midweek practice match and boss Killick feels he could be the final piece of the jigsaw.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “We are waiting for his international clearance to come through and it could happen at any time. Once we get the green light, we can play him straight away.

“However, it can take up to 28 days and we are running out of games. We are hoping it goes through sooner rather than later because he would be a great addition.”

Killick also believes he could again tame the hot-headed frontman, with Benssaouda letting his goals do the talking during his previous spell with the club.

“I heard some horror stories about him when I first came to Poole,” added Killick. “But he has been brilliant in all his dealings with me.

“He has always been an unorthodox player and everyone knows he can be quite volatile. But there is no doubt he has got great talent and some of his goals were exceptional. He is also a very determined player.

“I have never had any trouble with him and always found him a very committed and genuine lad. I am pleased at the prospect of having him back, both on and off the field.”

Killick is unlikely to further add to his squad ahead of tomorrow’s transfer deadline which follows Poole’s showdown with Yate Town at Tatnam (3pm).

Kevin Gill serves the last of a three-match ban, while defender Sam Clarke is a major doubt due to an ankle injury. Aaron Skelton returns to the squad and Lamin Dibba is also included, although he may have another run-out for Bournemouth Electric to boost his match fitness.

Previewing the clash, Killick said: “We were beaten quite comprehensively at Yate in December and it was a turning point in our season. I knew we would have to improve significantly if we were to achieve anything and, since then, we have done a lot better.”

Fourth-placed Poole are nine points clear of the play-off chasing pack and will be bidding to register a fourth successive win when they host the Bristol-based outfit.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, Howes, Brooks, Devlin, Richardson, Preston, Cann, S Smith, Joyce, Baldacchino, Pinder, Bayston, Skelton, Dibba.