COMPETITION for places was key for new Portland United boss Callum Brooks in his summer recruitment strategy.

Brooks, who took over the Blues’ reins after previous manager Brendon King resigned, has kept the core of Portland’s squad.

There have been a number of impressive additions, including former Dorchester midfielder Dom Panesar-Dower from Winchester and Ross Carmichael, who rejoins after a long-term knee injury.

Brooks has also convinced Jamie Beasley, Lewis Whyton and Ed Bastick to agree terms, while key midfielders Ryan McKechnie and Alex Halloran plus forward Jamie Symes stay on.

Commenting on his summer business, Brooks told Echosport: “We are happy. I’ve always had a lot of admiration for the mentality of the group that was already at Portland.

“It was common knowledge in the group and they said ‘we think you need to bring in three or four to add competition for places and take everything up a notch.’

“We’re getting Beasley back from Hamworthy, Dom and Ross from Dorch who are going to be big, big players for Portland, let’s face it.”

Brooks is on the verge of unveiling another key cog to his squad, but kept his name under wraps.

“I have got one more to come in – I can’t say who that is publicly,” he admitted.

“I’m trying to get one more over the line at the moment and it’s verbally done. I don’t see anything changing.

“Then that will be it, that will be our group and we will go to work the same as anyone.

“The lads are training now and we’re starting to ramp it up a bit but there’s a lot of uncertainty (due to coronavirus).”