A NEW name will be amongst Boro s playing staff next season although he will be a familiar face to everyone connected with the club. Last season s forgotten man Eddie Anaclet has decided to take on his father s name and become Eddie Odhiambo from next se

A NEW name will be amongst Boro's playing staff next season although he will be a familiar face to everyone connected with the club.

Last season's forgotten man Eddie Anaclet has decided to take on his father's name and become Eddie Odhiambo from next season and the 23-year-old hopes the change could prompt a new beginning in his Boro career.

Odhiambo was last summer's big signing from Oxford but the defender's season was blighted by a knee injury restricting the player to a handful of appearances as he only regained full fitness towards the end of the campaign.

The former Southampton trainee, who came on as a late substitute in the FA Trophy final at Wembley, admitted he didn't want the season to finish.

"I was just getting into a position where I could fight for a place so obviously I didn't want the season to come to an end," Odhiambo told The Comet. "It was disappointing to spend so much time on the sidelines."

With a year to run on his contract at The Lamex Stadium, a fully fit Odhiambo could yet prove an asset to Graham Westley and the player has promised to knuckle down in pre-season training and catch the manager's eye.

"I haven't spoken to the manager but I will be back for the start of pre-season raring to go and ready to fight for a place in the team.

"We've already made some good signings and there's clearly going to be a lot of competition for places, which is what you need at a successful club."

Boro are once again among the bookies' favourites for promotion next season but Odhiambo warned the Blue Square Premier will be as tough as ever to get out of.

"It's going to be a really strong league next year," he added. "You've got a lot of traditional Football League clubs in the division. Luton are bound to be strong, particularly with the fan base they've got and there are a few sides that have already made some good signings.