Wealdstone have signed West Ham United’s England youth international keeper Sam Howes on a month's loan with Jonathan North set for surgery on his knee.

North has been plagued by a knee problem for some time. But, owing to the nature of the injury, he has been able to carry on between the sticks for the Stones until an adequate replacement was found.

Chesham United stopper Shane Gore had been signed on a dual registration from the Southern League side when North was sent off earlier in the campaign. However, he is no longer at Grosvenor Vale.

The man who will deputise for North is England Under-18 goalkeeper Howes. He was part of the Three Lions Under-17s side which won the UEFA European Under-17 Championships in Malta in 2014.

Howes was named Young Hammer of the Year for the 2013/14 season and has been a regular for the east Londoners’ Under-18 and Under-21 sides.