BOSS Paul Collicutt hopes Lewis Binns can finally break the shackles of his injury jinx – despite the left-back’s departure from Evesham United.

The 22-year-old has switched to league rivals Cinderford Town after four years at the Jubilee Stadium.

Moving back home to Chepstow from Gloucester’s Hartpury College appears to have fuelled the move for a player that missed the end of last season due to surgery on an injured ankle.

“He is a lovely lad who will be sorely missed at Evesham United, as will his parents who travelled to watch him home and away,” said Collicutt.

“Lewis is a better player now than when he arrived but has been very unfortunate with injuries. It has been so stop-start for him.

“They were never small problems and that has dented his progress.

“He felt he wanted a change but one of the biggest influences on his decision was moving back home. His day job is with Newport Gwent Dragons and Cinderford cuts his travelling time in half.

“I am very sorry to see him go and wish him all the best. He is a good character to have in the changing room but I can fully appreciate his decision.”

Binns featured 25 times for the Robins last season prior to having his campaign cruelly cut short, something that proved an all-too-familiar tale.

“I know he wishes he had played more games and so do I but a lot of that was down to him picking up those nasty injuries,” added Collicutt.

“I probably believed in him more than he did himself and think he would probably admit that. Because of that belief, I would encourage him to go on and do things.

“I can remember watching him playing for Bishop’s Cleeve and going away thinking ‘I want to sign that lad’. He had four good years here and I can only say positive things about him.”

It has been a quiet summer for Evesham so far with only three recruits and no retentions announced so far but Collicutt expects some clarity imminently.

“We have agreements in place and will hopefully be able to announce those who have signed and those who haven’t over the next few days,” he said.

“Until they are actually signed on, you never know whether they are going to be playing for you or anyone else. I am always glad to get the first game of the season started and get this period out of the way.

“We have verbally agreed with quite a few players and at least six new players coming on board, including the ones already announced. There may be a couple more additions on top."