DORCHESTER Town boss Leigh Robinson insisted there is “no need to rush” into signing a full squad with the cloud of coronavirus looming over the new season.

Robinson, who is embarking on his first full campaign with the Magpies, has secured the services of 14 players this summer and hinted more are on their way.

New signings Sam Bayston, Sam Poole, Harry Hodges and Josiah Dunstan have been added to Oakley Hanger, who rejoins the Avenue after a four-year spell in the US.

That quintet is reinforced by the returning Tom Blair, Tom Bath, Billy Lowes, skipper Franklyn Clarke, Ollie Griggs, Tiago Sa, Charlie Madden, Emile Ngoy and Jordan Rogers.

Dorchester’s league campaign is scheduled to begin on Saturday, September 19 and Robinson revealed his pleasure at having tied down the “core” of his squad.

He told Echosport: “There’s probably a few more to come. I took the view this summer that there’s really no point rushing into signing 16 players straight away.

“The coronavirus has changed the landscape for non-league football so much.

“Clubs have got less money, therefore teams have got smaller squads, therefore there are more players available. There’s no need to rush into signing 16 players, especially with the delayed season as well.

“I’m happy to have the core of our squad signed, but we’ve still got a few spots available for some lads that we’re going to look at in pre-season training and in friendlies.”

Dorchester returned to training last night and start their pre-season preparations at home to Winchester on Thursday, August 13.