Kieron Freeman and Khanya Leshabela make their debuts for Spalding United

Spalding United have added two new signings to boost a squad which has been hit by injuries and suspensions.

Kieron Freeman and Khanya Leshabela both made their debuts for the Tulips in their midweek match with Leiston in the Southern League Premier Division Central.

Full-back Freeman has represented Wales at international level after an extensive career in the Football League.

He has featured for Mansfield, Notts County, Derby County, Portsmouth and made more than 100 appearances for Sheffield United.

The 32-year-old started the current campaign in the National League with Hartlepool United before his short-term contract ended this month.

Leshabela started his career with Leicester City and had loan spells with Shrewsbury Town and Crewe Alexandra.

The midfielder had a brief spell this season in his native South African with Cape Town City before signing for Enfield Town in the National League South.

The duo have bolstered a Spalding squad that is currently without the suspended pair of Kyle Barker and Lamine Sherif while James Clifton, Jordan Nicholson and Jonny Ngandu are out injured.

Manager Jimmy Dean said: "I thought both players added a lot to us on Tuesday night.

"Kieron has bags of quality and, although he needs minutes, I'm delighted to get him in.

"Khanya has really stepped up because we wanted to keep round pegs in round holes for as much continuity with the players who had played rather than moving them around.

"The performances have been good and, for the best part of Tuesday night, it was the same again."

Goals either side of half-time had given visiting Leiston control of the contest before Bart Cybulski halved the deficit for the Tulips.

Late Spalding pressure was unable to force an equaliser but boss Dean remains upbeat ahead of a mini break from action.

They are without a league game this weekend with their next match at Halesowen Town on Saturday, November 2.

He added: "There is no point looking up or down - we just need to focus on us.

"We need to keep moving forward because I think we've done an awful lot of that.

"The crowd remains positive and, although they're frustrated that we're not winning every week, so are we.

"We need to keep our heads up and chests out and get ready to go again."