GRAVESEND & Northfleet's assistant manager Adrian Pennock is tipping Manny Omoyinmi to make a big impact during his month’s loan from Oxford.

Pennock played with the 26-year-old Nigerian winger five years ago at Gillingham and is convinced he has what it takes to give the club a lift in their attempts to reach mid-table respectability in the Nationwide Conference.

Omoyinmi made his debut as a 75th minute substitute in Saturday’s 6-0 rout of Morecambe - the club’s biggest in the Conference - and could be in the starting line-up for Saturday’s match at Aldershot.

“I know a lot about Manny from our time together at Gillingham,” said Pennock. “Everyone knows he’s quick and in this league especially, pace hurts teams. What people won’t know is that Manny’s has got the right mentality and is excellent in the dressing room.”

Omoyinmi, who was formerly with West Ham and loaned to Bournemouth, Dundee United, Orient, Gillingham, Scunthorpe and Barnet, joined Oxford on a free in August, 2000.

Omoyinmi became the Fleet’s second signing late last week, joining Tony Battersby in moving to Stonebridge Road. He signed on a contract basis until the end of the season.

The former Sheffield United, Southend, Notts County, Bury, Lincoln, Northampton, Boston and Rushden and Diamonds striker signed for the Fleet on a contract basis following his release from Conference rivals Stevenage.

He made his debut on Saturday as a substitute for striker Roy Essandoh. But he could miss Saturday’s match at Aldershot with a groin strain.

Essandoh returned to Bishops Stortford at the end of his loan but could be back providing the clubs can thrash out a deal.