Tonbridge boss Steve McKimm says new signing Tommy Wood has the qualities to return to the Football League.

Wood has signed for the Angels as a free agent having been released by League 1 club AFC Wimbledon.

He had a successful loan spell at Longmead last season, scoring three times in as many appearances before the campaign was cut short by coronavirus.

The striker went straight into the side for last night’s 2-1 FA Cup third qualifying round success at Chichester, a result that leaves Tonbridge one win from the first round proper.

McKimm said: “Tommy did ever so well for us last year.

“He’s a quality player with a hunger to get back in the pro game and until his legs went a bit, where he hasn’t played, he was exceptional last night.

“I don’t know the full story at Wimbledon - that’s for him to know - but they released a few and he was one of them.

“He’s decided to go part-time with us and he wants to get his head down, work hard and score as many goals as he can to get himself back where he wants to be.

“He’s got the hunger, the desire and all the attributes for someone to take a chance on him.

“I don’t even think it would be taking a chance because he’s an all-round centre-forward who scores goals, holds up the ball, brings others into play and works his socks off."

Chichester were the non-league stars of last year’s FA Cup, reaching the second round proper as an Isthmian South East club.

But Tonbridge ended this season’s run with Joe Turner and Khale Da Costa giving the visitors a 2-1 victory.

McKimm said: “The coach was caught up behind an accident so the players got there late and it was a bit of a rush-job to get them on the pitch.

“Chichester gave us a very hard game, as expected. Nothing’s easy in cup football, as you can see by some of the teams who’ve gone out who expected to win.

“We knew what we were up against - we watched them twice - and the boys got the job done.

“It wasn’t pretty - a little more quality in certain areas would have made it easier - but the whole point is getting through.”

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent