DORCHESTER Town’s squad for next season has been bolstered by a combination of experience and youth with the acquisition of Jonah Ayunga and Ashley Nicholls.

Youngster Ayunga signed a 12-month deal following Saturday’s friendly defeat to Portsmouth Academy, after which boss Mark Jermyn revealed that Nicholls would be returning to the club.

The experienced midfielder, who has had two spells at the Avenue in recent years, is set to link up with the Magpies again in time for the start of the new campaign.

Player-manager Jermyn told Echosport that Nicholls has verbally agreed to become a Dorchester player again, though his PhD work means he cannot take part in pre-season.

“Ashley will be signed on for us from the start of the season and it will continue until he moves out of the area,” said Jermyn.

“He’s offering his services for a cut price because he knows the club, he knows me and the players.

“We just need to make sure we look after him and get the most out of him whilst he is here really.

“It will be well into next year so we’re not just signing him for a month or two, we are signing him for a period of time.

“I’ve got a verbal agreement with Ashley that it is all done, it’s just that he has had a lot on with finishing his course. It’s just a case of getting him in now really.

“We’ve been speaking for a number of months now and he has assured me that he’s happy to come back. And we’re happy to see him here next season.”

Meanwhile, first-team coach Stuart Heath said of Ayunga’s arrival: “We are delighted that Jonah has joined us.

“He’s made a positive impact in the last couple of weeks and he has the potential to be a very good player at this level and above in the future.

“It’s our job now to look after him and develop him in the right way and for Jonah to keep showing that good attitude and approach to his game that he has done so far with us.

“I think it’s fair to say we have been short of strikers at the club in recent seasons with power and pace.

“Jonah has the potential to provide those attributes for us.”

As for the ongoing situation with former skipper Nathan Walker, Jermyn added: “We’re in conversation with him but Nathan has just had his first child.

“And I know from being in that situation it’s hard because your focus is on your family and football is on the back burner.

“Me and Nathan chat quite often and hopefully we’ll see him here next season.”