PHIL Simkin is delighted with the capture of international goalkeeper Benjamin Büchel.

The 23-year-old, who has won five caps for Liechtenstein, has joined the Magpies on loan from AFC Bournemouth following the shock departure of Alan Walker-Harris.

Dorchester boss Simkin told Echosport: “I’m delighted to be taking Benjamin on board and we are very grateful to AFC Bournemouth for helping us out and in particular Tom Mitchell for his great assistance

“They have sent him here to get games and we will make sure that happens but Jason Matthews has the first-team jersey at the moment so it will be up to Benjamin to take it off him – it is as simple as that.

“Benjamin has played international football and from what we have seen in training so far he looks a class keeper, so it should provide good competition, and to have two keepers of such quality on the books is just fantastic.”

Simkin’s excitement is tinged with a bit of sadness though.

He added: “Alan Walker-Harris has parted company with the club as of this week and we would like to thank him for everything he has done.

“He is a terrific lad and I have no doubts he will be a terrific keeper for another club.

“He has worked really hard to get over the broken leg he suffered last season but I think he would be the first to admit he hasn’t quite reached the level he was before.

“It is important for him to be playing regular football now and everyone wishes him the best.”

The Magpies travel to Basingstoke Town this afternoon in Blue Square Bet South but Büchel could turn out for the reserves instead. The second-string are at Moneyfields in the Wyvern Premier League.

Ashley Nicholls looks set to return to first-team action but Nick Crittenden, Mark Jermyn and Nathan Walker have all been ruled out.