FORMER AFC Bournemouth defender Ryan Case has joined Dorchester Town in time for tonight’s showdown with Tonbridge Angels at the Avenue (7.45pm).

Case arrives from Havant & Waterlooville on non-contract terms and goes straight into the Magpies’ team for the Skrill South clash.

Basingstoke-born Case, who can play at right-back or centre-half, signed for Havant, also on a non-contract basis, at the end of October having been at Hampton & Richmond before that.

He was released by the Cherries earlier this year having secured a 12-month professional contract in 2012.

And Dorchester boss Phil Simkin has thanked Havant chief Lee Bradbury for his help in facilitating the move, which was completed last night.

“With the strength of Havant’s squad this season it was very difficult for Ryan to get a game,” said Simkin.

“Ryan wants to make a name for himself again after being released by Bournemouth and I’m delighted to have him at Dorchester.

“Lee Bradbury was a great help in everything and Ryan will go straight into the side for the game against Tonbridge.

“We had to play Josh Wakefield at right-back last Saturday so with Ryan taking over it means Josh can go back into midfield where he has been excellent for us.”

Another huge boost for Simkin tonight is the return of central defender Steve Walker after he missed the 5-1 defeat at Havant.

And, given the Magpies’ vulnerability at the back against the Hawks, Walker’s return couldn’t come sooner.

“We couldn’t defend crosses and set-pieces on Saturday,” added Simkin. “We really missed Steve’s ability in the air.

“He is someone who has improved no end this season and is a different player to the one he was in August.

“Steve has learnt a lot from playing alongside Ashley Vickers and Mark Jermyn and he now knows to stick what he does best.

“All I want him to do is clear the danger rather than play one-twos or anything like that, and he has been doing what I’ve asked him to.”

While the Magpies prop up the Skrill South table, tonight’s opponents are only four points and three places above them in the standings.

The Angels lost 3-0 at Hayes & Yeading last time out but beat Eastleigh in their previous away game before that.

And Simkin is expecting to face a tough Tonbridge outfit, adding: “They will be a very difficult side to beat, I know that much.

“I’m looking forward to it and I know we’ll give it our best shot, but we know we have to deal with crosses into the box a lot better.

“Having said that, Havant were the best side we’ve played this season and could really do something this season.”

Magpies: (from) Walker-Harris, Case, Smeeton, Way, Jermyn, Walker, Lanahan, Gleeson, Crittenden, Godfrey, Wakefield, Goodship, Tennant, Munday, Jevon, Kennard, Michie

*Dorchester Town Reserves are away to Sholing in the Wyvern Premier League tomorrow night (7.45pm).