DORCHESTER Town goalkeeper Kingsley Latham is hoping to make himself a “worthwhile recommendation” having learned of predecessor Chris Weale’s influence in bringing him to the Magpies.

Weale played the whole of the 2017/18 season for Dorchester, captaining them in the latter third of the year and keeping 11 clean sheets during his spell with Steve Thompson’s side.

With Thompson unaware of Latham’s availability, Weale pointed the manager in the direction of the Southampton academy gloveman, who has signed a loan deal until January.

Latham told Echosport: “Obviously Chris is a great goalkeeper and has played hundreds of games in the Football League.

“He’s a great person as well and it’s obviously really pleasing that someone like that would recommend me, so hopefully I can make it a worthwhile recommendation.

“Personally, it was good to come in pre-season to get to know the lads and find my feet.

“I’ve just tried to hit the ground running, just do what I can and hopefully that’s good enough for the team.”

Asked for his perspective on joining a League side from an academy, Latham said the two were complete opposites.

He said: “It’s a different sort of football, coming out on a Saturday for three points, all or nothing.

“You get quite good crowds in this league as well and it’s good to play in front of them and have that experience, which is why Southampton wanted me to come here, so I’ve really enjoyed it so far.

“Hopefully I can become a better player, physically get stronger, get games under my belt and just build myself up like that and hopefully go back to Southampton a better player.

“Dorchester is a great club, everyone has made me feel welcome, which has been great.

“I have enjoyed playing football with the lads and the gaffer’s been really good.”

Dorchester travel to Wimborne Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday (3pm).