GORDON Bartlett is hopeful Romone Rose’s latest footballing audition will be right on cue.

The former QPR youth – who made his Stones debut in Tuesday night’s Ryman League Cup win at Carshalton – has had several false starts in something of a nomadic existence since starring in the youth side at Loftus Road back in 2007 and making four appearances in the first team.

Rose has spent spells with AFC Wimbledon, Northampton, Gillingham and Torquay as well as some time playing abroad in Thailand since those heady days.

However, with Richard Jolly struggling with a hamstring tear, it could be an opportune moment for the 22-year-old, who broke Stones’ hearts as part of the Newport side in last season’s FA Trophy semi-final, to step into the spotlight.

“If Jolls (Jolly) has picked up an injury Romone could have arrived at just the right time,” said Bartlett.

“His last game was at Wembley in the FA Trophy final for Newport against York, but he hasn’t been playing since. Alex Dyer asked if he could invite him down, and he obviously wants to be involved and back playing, so it suits all parties at the moment.”

The cup tie also marked the debut of on-loan Watford defender Aaron Tumwa, whose move is the latest show of co-operation between the Championship side and Stones, who had Hornets trio Brit Assombalonga, Connor Smith and Tommy Hoban at The Vale for extended periods last season.

And it seems Tumwa’s arrival has also been carefully orchestrated to coincide with a tricky moment for Stones defensively ahead of Saturday’s trip to high-flying Margate.

“Timing is very important with these things,” added Bartlett. “Aaron’s arrival has been on the cards for about a month, but it needed to be the right time. We always have to look at the financial situation, and to be fair to the boy, he needs to play.

“But we lose Wes (Parker) through suspension Saturday, so there is an opportunity for Aaron at Margate, and there is a cup game at Ashford coming up soon, so there is a fair chance he is going to get a fair few games under his belt.”