SALISBURY City goalkeeper James Bittner has joined Chippenham Town on loan for a month in a bid to return to match fitness.

The former Woking custodian, who signed full-time forms for the Whites during the summer, is now fully recovered from the broken finger which has kept him on the sidelines since early September.

"Unfortunately James has been out for a couple of months with the injury," said manager Nick Holmes.

"He needs some games now and hopefully, he'll get that with Chippenham."

Bittner had hoped to put pressure on City goalkeeper Ryan Clarke for the coveted number one shirt, but the injury, which occured in training, meant appearances in his second spell with the club have thus far been limited to pre-season friendlies and being on the bench for City's opening Blue Square Premier matches.

"We've got Martin Horsell with us until the end of the year so it's a bit much having three 'keepers," added Holmes.

Bittner could well feature in Chippenham's British Gas Business Southern Premier match at Rugby Town this evening.