Epsom & Ewell will continue to look for a return home despite agreeing to ground-share with Chipstead from next season.

The Salts have been tenants at Merstham’s Moatside ground for the past two years having not had their own ground for almost 19 years, but will now switch to Chipstead’s High Road venue from next season.

But the club insisted it had not given up on a return.

“This in no way compromises the club’s ambition to return to our home borough as soon as is possible,” said a statement.

“We continue our efforts to secure a site for the senior non-league team representing the borough to return.”

The club is not yet safe from Combined Counties Premier League relegation despite drawing with league leaders Guildford 1-1 on Saturday and beating derby rivals Banstead Athletic 2-0 on Monday.

They are six points clear and go to Egham on Saturday.

Defeat all-but condemned Banstead to relegation though.

Coupled with Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Horley Town, it means Banstead must win their final two games – starting with the visit of Farnham Town on Saturday – and hope Mole Valley SCR, Colliers Wood United and Chessington & Hook lose all of theirs.