JASON Matthews is on a quest to find a new assistant-manager after he revealed Tim Sills had parted company with the club.

The former Aldershot, Torquay and Gosport man, who stepped up to become boss Matthews’ number-two last season, failed to agree personal terms for the 2016/17 campaign, according to the Weymouth player-manager.

That rocks the Terras going into their pre-season schedule, but Matthews admitted he has some “food for thought” over a possible option to bring in.

The Weymouth chief, who confirmed he is looking to appoint someone from outside of the club to fill Sills’ role, also revealed his intentions to stay on as the side’s number one goalkeeper next season.

Commenting initially on Sills’ departure, Matthews told Echosport: “Tim and I have been in negotiation for probably five or six weeks and we couldn’t come to an agreement that was right for both parties.

“I want to put on record my thanks to Tim. I feel he was a fantastic assistant and brought loads to the table, he will be sorely missed.

“Obviously our loss is someone else’s gain. I can’t speak highly enough of Tim, I have had him in the squad for two years and he is what you would class as a model pro.

“He has to look after himself, I’m fully aware of that and that’s what has happened. It is really disappointing but I have to work within a budget and, unfortunately, Tim felt his worth was a little bit more than I could offer him.”

On his quest to find a new assistant, Matthews added: “It’s only just come about and I was really hoping that Tim would stay. My search starts now.

“I won’t be looking internally, I will be bringing in a number two and someone that will dictate games from the sidelines, because I will be playing for one more season.

“I have some food for thought on a new number two, whether I can get that person or not remains to be seen. If I do, I think it will raise a few eyebrows and we will take it from there.”

On keeping the gloves, the player-manager believes he still has the desire to be one of the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division’s top keepers.

Fellow gloveman Steve Boore has also agreed to stay with the club next term.

“I have got myself right in shape over the summer, I have been doing a lot of running and work. I feel I have got another year in me,” Matthews added.

“I feel really refreshed and hungry. As long as I have that hunger there and I don’t make too many mistakes, I don’t feel there are too many better than me in the league.

“It also keeps me in line with my budget and gives me scope to get one more quality player.”