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The 31 year old striker is a former Moat favourite having a previous spell with Rovers between 1994 and 1995 where he scored 34 times in 68 appearances. He left Rovers for Gloucester City at the start of the 1995-1996 campaign for a fee of £25,000 and has since had spells with Ilkeston Town and Worcester City before joining Alfreton last season.

Manager Gary Norton speaking exclusively to gresleyrovers.com commented: "It's a great boost for us to get hold of a player of David's experience and quality. We have been after an additional front man for some time to take the pressure off Aaron and Emeka and in David we have hopefully found the perfect option. We have played 30 competitive games already this season and I want the extra bodies around to freshen things up. A few players are carrying knocks and are simply exhausted and it will allow us to rest one or two in the coming weeks ready for a big push in the second half of the season. David and I spoke on the phone for ages about his previous spell at Gresley and I could tell right away that he has a true affection for the club. He loved his time here and is really looking forward to his loan spell with us."

The addition of Holmes comes on the back of James Fox's arrival from Nuneaton Borough and the midweek transfer of Mark Laws from Ilkeston Town and softens the blow of losing Chris Gray to Redditch and Karl Brown and Jimmy Turner to Runcorn.

Norton also revealed that he was "Very optimistic" that a further loan signing could be made in the near future. Norton said: "We have agreed a deal in principal with a Conference club for a player but are trying to reach agreement on the finance side of the deal. Ideally I'd like to bring in quality players on permanent deals but it simply isn't possible due to our budget constraints. One or two of our rival clubs in the league can go out and sign conference quality players for silly transfer fees and offer huge signing on fees and big wages. We simply cannot do that and have to wheel and deal the best we can and try to make the numbers work. It's frustrating but I suppose we are the Everton of the Unibond league at the minute. We are right up there at the top but we haven't got the resources of some clubs up there with us. Throwing money around doesn't guarantee success and we are trying our hardest to try and prove that point."

David Holmes said that he is looking forward to rejoining Gresley, albeit on loan in a move that is beneficial to all parties. "I am looking forward to playing regular football and helping out Gresley Rovers - this move suits me, Alfreton and Gresley Rovers, I am really looking forward to it."

Mark Evans commenting on David joining the Club added: "I am delighted that David has agreed to join us and am looking forward to seeing him in action. Gresley supporters often speak to me about David's time at the Club, and I am pleased that we have managed to secure his services on loan. I appreciate Alfreton's assistance in allowing us to complete the administration so as to have him available for Saturday."