STOURBRIDGE forward Ben Billingham has been loaned out to Cradley Town as he steps up his return to full fitness.

The popular attacker, one of Stourbridge's longest serving players with over 250 appearances for the Glassboys to his name, broke his ankle in two places and twisted ligaments while playing against Matlock Town last October.

He has now worked his way back from the horror injury and is ready to start playing again.

To get him back up to speed the Glassboys have reached an agreement with the Hammers that will see Billingham playing at The Beeches for the first month of the new season.

Stourbridge boss Gary Hackett said: "Ben has worked very hard to get back from the injury and is now ready to start playing again.

"This is a really positive move and will hopefully benefit everyone involved.

"I have spoken to their manager, Mark Jones, who is a former Stourbridge player who I have managed myself, and we know he will be looked after there.

"There is absolutely no pressure on Ben. He just needs to get back playing games again to continue his rehabilitation. Cradley can offer him that chance.

"He could come back to us after the first month of the season and be a real bonus . He has worked so hard and it will be great to see him rewarded for that effort by getting back in the side."

Meanwhile, the Glassboys have announced that this season's mid-week home fixtures will be played on Monday evenings.

Given the number of other games that are played on Tuesday evenings, as well as televised Champions League and international football, the club felt that it would be worth trying a change of night to try and boost attendances.

After agreement from the Northern Premier League, the first games affected will be the visit of Nantwich Town on August 17, Barwell on September 7, Grantham on September 28, Sutton Coldfield on October 12 and Ilkeston on October 19.

Stourbridge returned to Amblecote with a bang on Tuesday night with a 4-0 friendly win over Stafford Rangers.

There were first appearances at the War Memorial Ground for summer signings Kristian Green, Dan Scarr, Nathan Hayward, Tom Tonks, Stuart Pierpoint and Jamie Insall.

A double from Matt Dodd and a Kayelden Brown strike added to a Nathan Rooney own goal.

The win followed a 1-1 draw at Alvechurch last Saturday after forward Insall hit a late leveller for Stour.

Hackett was pleased with the attitude of his player against Stafford.

He said: "We were a little off the pace against Alvechurch so I got the reaction I wanted against Stafford. The attitude was top draw.

"We have been working on our fitness but attention will now turn to our style of play and set pieces as the season gets closer."

The Glassboys' pre-season programme continued this Saturday with a challenging fixture away against National League North side Brackley Town.