Joao Varela makes his impressive start to his career with Stamford AFC
Manager Graham Drury feels new signing Joao Varela has the potential to make the same impact at Stamford as Cosmos Matwasa.
Varela has joined the Daniels from Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side Soham Town Rangers.
He made his debut as a second half substitute in the weekend draw with Lowestoft Town before getting his first start in the victory over Redditch United on Tuesday night.
Drury was delighted with Varela's display and likened him to Matwasa who earned a higher level move to the National League North after impressive performances for the Daniels.
The Stamford boss said: "Joao's been brilliant and I identify him as the new Cosmos.
"He's got a lot of traits like Cosmos and showed me a defensive side to his game as well on Tuesday night.
"He covered well, was good in possession and can stretch people with his pace.
"He's got good feet and wants to get the ball in the box.
"I've got big things for him and I've been keeping my eye on him for a while.
"I would like to thank Lance Key at Soham who said that he wouldn't stand in his way if he had a chance of playing higher.
"I don't know how someone else hasn't picked him up before now but some clubs just look for names and I will always give players from step five a chance.
"He was perhaps surprised to start on Tuesday night but he's earned the right and he will get the confidence from me to go out and express himself."
Matwasa has been back on loan with Stamford for the past two months from Alfreton Town but will now return to the Reds following the expiration of his temporary stint.
Drury explained: "I love Cos to bits and he now needs to really focus on his football again.
"He's been absolutely outstanding for us and I hope to have him back one day.
"He's been a pleasure to have with us and has accepted every situation that has been thrown at him.
"We've been a part of his journey in football at the beginning and hopefully he will be back with us at some point again."
Stacey Freeman has also returned to the club following a spell in the United Counties League Premier Division North with Wisbech Town.
Freeman has featured for Stamford over the past couple of campaigns and played in the recent game against Cleethorpes Town in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup before coming on as a substitute in the midweek win over Redditch United.
Drury commented: "Stacey has done really well since coming back in.
"He was really good on Tuesday night and did a good job for us.
"He mentioned that nobody was pinning the goalkeeper on set pieces and we scored the second goal from Stacey bossing him."
Freeman's return will boost a Stamford squad that was hit by a further injury blow in midweek with skipper Joe Burgess being stretchered off.
Burgess is likely to miss the rest of the season with fellow midfielder Harry Vince having already been sidelined for the majority of the campaign.
Striker Richard Gregory is also out injured while Charlie Marzano and Connor Bartle were not risked in midweek as Stamford completed a run of five games in 11 days.
Drury added: "We really can't pick up any more injuries.
"These numbers are telling now and the lads deserve a lot of credit for getting through the last 11 days."
Top scorer Jack Duffy will return from suspension for Saturday's trip to lowly Barwell to boost Stamford's attacking threat.
Drury said: "We've got a lot of pace going forward now but we've just got to keep the bodies fit.
"Barwell picked up a great result last weekend and their squad on paper is really strong.
"They've brought in some good players and they're fighting for their lives to stay up."
Stamford are in sixth spot going into Saturday's match, three points adrift of the play-off places with nine games of the season remaining.
