Tommy Warrilow has urged Tommie Fagg to stay out of trouble and show his Football League potential during Ashford’s promotion run-in.

Boss Warrilow is convinced the attacking midfielder has what it takes to go all the way but his season has been blighted by three red cards and a seven-week injury lay-off after tearing his hamstring.

He’s back from a four-match suspension and could line up at Hythe on Saturday as the Nuts & Bolts bid for a fourth straight victory.

“Tommie’s a big player for us but we’ve hardly seen him this season,” said Warrilow.

“If someone can get him in and work with him every day, I think he’s got every attribute to play in the Football League but not if he keeps getting sent off.

“When I think of some of the players I’ve seen make it, Lewis Taylor, Lee Minshull, Leon Legge, Nathan Green, I could definitely see Tommie in there.

“He can’t help getting injured but he’s had three silly red cards this year and he’s had to learn the hard way.

“You won’t meet a nicer lad and I believe in him.

“For the stop-start season he’s had, everyone knows what a good player he is.

“He’s got great feet, he’s powerful, he’s strong, he’s good in the air - I really think someone could have a player on their hands if they took him in and worked with him every day.

“If you do something all the time, the better you get at it.”

Ashford beat Isthmian South East promotion rivals Cray Valley 3-1 at Homelands last Saturday.

Luke Burdon, a late inclusion after Jack Richards suffered a calf injury in the warm-up, scored the opener and set up goals for Frannie Collin and Gary Lockyer.

“I love Luke to bits,” said Warrilow, after his third-placed side moved a point behind Cray Valley, with a game in hand.

“He’s a great player who gives everything but this is his first real test at this level and he does some raw stuff.

“He’s improving all the time and that’s the whole point. If he was the finished article he’d be starting all the time.

“He’s been a brilliant impact player coming off the bench but he got his chance with Jack pulling up and he took it.”

Warrilow has been delighted with the response of his side since losing 5-1 to Three Bridges.

Three wins on the spin have reeled in Cray Valley and Warrilow, whose side play their game in hand at East Grinstead on Tuesday, isn’t giving up hope of closing the 10-point gap to leaders Hastings.

“That was a massive game against Cray Valley,” said Warrilow.

“They popped the ball about but what’s more important - possession or scoring goals?

“You can have all the ball in the world but if you don’t put it in the net, it doesn’t mean anything.

“If they’d beaten us they’re on 59 and we’re on 52 but with that win it’s 56 and 55 and we have a game in hand to go above them and close the gap on Hastings if we can.

“We’ve got the game in hand and the onus is on us to get above them and be with Hastings in the final furlong.

“We’ve had three good performances since the 5-1 debacle at Three Bridges.

“We’ve bounced back and I’m proud of the boys because it’s a test of character when people are asking questions of you.

“We’ve got a big week coming up with three games and there’s still loads of points to play for.

“We’re not getting carried away but it’s nice to get back on track and change the aura around the place."