Jay Saunders is hopeful Tonbridge haven’t seen the last of defender Ethan Sutcliffe.

Sutcliffe was recalled by AFC Wimbledon this week and named on the bench for their 2-0 EFL Trophy win over Oxford on Tuesday night.

The centre-half had been due to spend the rest of the season with Angels and could yet return.

“Ethan’s been brilliant for us,” said boss Saunders.

“Wimbledon said they didn’t want to call him back because he’s done so well here and we’ve been brilliant for him, but it’s a case where they needed to because of injuries.

“He’s gone back but I’m hoping we can reassess it at some point.

“It might be he goes back and does really well and stays there but they’ve kind of said we’ve got first option if he goes back out on loan.”

Saunders is in no rush to sign a replacement with Jamie Fielding and Kodi Lyons-Foster back from injury and Tom Parkinson nearing fitness.

He has the option to recall Joe Tyrie from Sittingbourne but doesn’t think that would be fair on the 20-year-old.

“Joe’s in a really good place,” said Saunders.

“He’s playing every week in a promotion chase and I kind of feel he needs that.

“If I brought him back, do I see him as a starter every week?

“I’d probably say I’ve got a couple ahead of him at the moment.

“I felt that when Ethan came in, that he was just ahead of Joe, and Joe understood that.

“When the time’s right he’ll have a big part to play but I’m not going to call him back unless he’s going to start every week and at the moment I’ve got a couple ahead of him just for their experience really and how well they’ve done this season.”

Tonbridge beat Weymouth 2-1 at home last weekend.

Jordan Greenidge gave them a half-time lead, with Lyons-Foster scoring the winner as Tonbridge bounced back from their New Year’s Day defeat at Maidstone.

They weren’t at their best but got the job done and sit ninth in National League South, three points off the play-offs.

“I felt we looked a bit sluggish,” said Saunders.

“First half we dominated possession without testing the keeper other than one bit of quality from Lewis Gard to set up Jordan.

“I felt we should have upped the gears and killed the game off but we didn’t do that.

“We let Weymouth back into and I’ve no issue with saying they were the better side in the second half.

“I can hold my hands up and say that but sometimes when you’re not at your best you have to find ways of winning.

“We weren’t near the levels I want and the players were made aware of that.

“The last couple of weeks we’ve just dropped below the levels we’ve set but sometimes you have that in a season.

“The same squad has played a lot of games recently and it’s something we’re working on.

“That can catch up with players but it’s three points and it kept us in touch with the chasing pack.”

Tonbridge visit Hemel Hempstead this Saturday (3pm).