PORTLAND United boss Gary Bailey feels his squad is almost complete after adding two further additions to the side.

Chris Clarke has made the switch from Bridport – the fifth to do so over the summer – whilst Ashley Weeks has confirmed his future at the club.

Speaking about Clarke, Bailey told Echosport: “Chris was a major target of ours throughout the summer and he had some options.

“He was patient, and rightly so, to weigh up his options and we’re really pleased he has decided to take up the challenge.

“He will add experience, obviously leadership after being the skipper down at Bridport last year and we will need plenty of that.

“He’s the sort of person you want around the team because they can help them through difficult times.

“He’s a left-footed left back who is a great addition to the squad.”

Along with the re-signing of Weeks, Bailey feels his squad is virtually complete.

Speaking about Weeks, he said: “We know Ash, he’s played with us in the DPL (Dorset Premier League) and he will bring healthy competition to the goalkeeping position along with Sean (Lillington).

“We have that competition right through the squad now and it was something we were concious of going into the summer. We needed to strengthen and we have done that.

“We were concious we had to add numbers because our season will be 50-plus games and you can’t do that with 14 players.

“I am very happy with where we are.”

He added: “If the season started tomorrow, I’d be delighted. We have a great balance to the side.”

“We have really good options now and it’s down to the players to stake a claim in the starting berth.”

Portland’s season starts on Wednesday, August 3 away to Verwood Town after the FA decided to put the first preliminary round of the FA Cup to Saturday, August 6, leaving the league to rearrange fixtures.

Although the Blues will not participate in this year’s competition, Bailey is still feeling frustrated with the decision.

He explained: “It doesn’t just mess our schedule up but everyone’s, I imagine.

“We’ve had to cancel a couple of sessions cancelled and it’s not ideal.

“But it is what it is so we’ve rescheduled things and we will get on with it.

“But it is strange to start with a midweek game.”