And there is more good news for manager Blake with a second assessment of Dan Smith’s foot injury revealing the striker could be out for just two weeks after the initial fear was that he would be side-lined for two months.

Both of the new arrivals, who were at the club last season on loan, from Pompey and Dorking Wanderers respectfully, signed last night at training at the MKM Arena.

Striker Gifford has signed on loan from Farnborough Athletic and full-back Rabbetts has sealed a similar deal after being with Dartford earlier this season from parent club Dorking.

Manager Blake has welcomed the duo’s return and emitted a sigh of relief over Smith’s injury. He added: “We obviously know all about Dan and Joe and that’s why it’s an easy decision to make to bring them back in for a spell. The loans are initially for a month but that could easily be extended depending on various factors. It’s one to watch.

“As for Dan the footballing Gods are definitely looking down on us after we had thought it was six to eight weeks out for him. Dan sought a second opinion about his damaged metatarsal — as the days passed he realised it wasn’t as bad as first suspected and he could easily be with us again much sooner rather than later, perhaps within two weeks, which is excellent news.”

Meanwhile, Blake has added to his squad by signing former Rocks attacker Brad Lethbridge.