PAUL Maitland insists the Terras’ coaching staff will be looking to unlock more red-hot performances from Ben Thomson next season, after the striker agreed terms to stay at the club.

The Weymouth assistant-manager believes that the former Frome Town man, who has made the decision to remain part of the set-up under new manager Mark Molesley, is a “big part of things going forward” at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Speaking after the deal was completed, Maitland told Echosport: “We are pleased because we think we can help Ben to score a few more goals.

“But he brings more to the team than just his goals.

“There are not too many big target men who are as mobile as he is and he allows us to be able to play more than one way.”

He added: “I think Ben himself would admit he perhaps didn’t score enough goals last season but there are other attributes to his game and we will be looking to add other forward players to our armoury, who will obviously compliment him.

“We are certainly looking for him to be a big part of things going forward. When he is hot he is hot, it’s getting more of those games out of him.

“We want more of those types of performances out of him and we will be working to hopefully unlock that from him.”

Asked whether the deal was difficult to strike for the club, Maitland replied: “He has been very up front and honest about where he was standing on things.

“Thommo is one of those lads who is settled at the club, he likes the club and he is not big on change.”

The signing means the Terras have retained two members of their current squad in as many days, after defender Calvin Brooks agreed a new contract on Sunday.