Cheltenham sign striker Hammond

Hammond has one cap for Ghana, against Mexico in 2006

Cheltenham Town have signed striker Elvis Hammond on a short-term contract until January 2009.

The 28-year-old left Leicester City in the summer and has been out of action for over a year with an ankle injury.

Manager Martin Allen told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "I planned to use him at Leicester in the Championship until his injury, I won't say he's on trial.

"He's been training with us for two weeks, he's very quick and very direct, we'll see how he gets on."

Hammond, who scored for the reserves in their 4-0 Gloucestershire FA Senior Cup win over Forest Green Rovers at Whaddon Road on Tuesday, is eligible for Saturday's League One game at Hereford.

It's a review every week here at the moment because some of our loan players can be called back

Martin Allen

His registration as a free agent has proved easier for Allen than sorting out long-term arrangements for most of his on-loan players.

MK Dons defender Drissa Diallo has agreed to sign permanently in January but the other six are still at Cheltenham on an emergency basis.

"It's a review every week here at the moment because some of our loan players can be called back and we don't know who might be here tomorrow," said Allen.

"We're always up against it on that front, we'll review the situation in January but it is hard to have long-term planning here at the moment."