Croydon Athletic manager Tim O’Shea is hopeful of extending striker Charlie Ide’s time with the Rams if he doesn’t sign for League Two side Aldershot this month.

The former Brentford striker has been training with the Shots for the past fortnight and impressed manager Gary Waddock when he played in their 4-2 reserve defeat to Southampton last Wednesday, setting up their first goal.

However, with Aldershot unable to give him games at the weekend Ide has started Athletic’s last three matches and O’Shea believes the 22-year-old could stay past the end of the month.

He said: “His situation is that he is enjoying his football.

“He is training at Aldershot and they are having a look at him but they cannot guarantee games at the weekend so the arrangement is he plays for us while training full time with them.

“He needed to get back playing and enjoying his football and like most people his situation will probably be sorted by the end of January.

“If nothing comes up in the end then I am sure Charlie would be happy to stay.”

O’Shea is yet to taste defeat as Rams manager having extended his unbeaten run to six games with a 1-1 draw at play-off-chasers Sittingbourne on Saturday.

Despite being on top for large periods, Athletic had to be gifted an equaliser when Sittingbourne keeper Matt Reed punched Ian Selley’s corner into his own net.

The Rams play second-bottom Whitstable Town tonight before lining up against second-top Cray Wanderers on Saturday and O’Shea believes his side have nothing to fear.

He said: “It’s a game we are not expected to win but I am sure Cray Wanderers will be looking at our results and the run we are on and know we are in form.

“Having played Met Police, Sittingbourne and Worthing and being able to match them the lads shouldn’t be going into Saturday’s game fearing anyone.”

Croydon Athletic’s next three matches: Tonight, Whitstable Town (h), Jan 24 Cray Wanderers (h), 31 Walton Casuals (a).