WINGER Tom Blair will tap into the goalscoring know how of famed striker Steve Claridge during his loan spell with Salisbury.

Claridge, who enjoyed three spells at Weymouth as a player, scored 256 goals in a whopping 34-year career during which he appeared in total more than 800 times for 22 clubs.

The former Leicester City and Millwall forward, now Salisbury boss, swooped to sign Blair from National League side Eastleigh until January.

And Blair, 22, instantly repaid his faith with the winner against former club Dorchester Town on his Whites debut.

If Claridge’s experience was not enough, Blair also has agent Kevin Davies in his corner – Premier League veteran of 88 goals in 444 appearances.

“I’ve been with Kev for over a year now,” Blair told Echosport. “But Steve has been really good.

“He rings me all the time telling me things I could do better. Where I’ve come from a higher level, he’s not afraid to tell me.

“I appreciate that he does that. I’d rather him being honest than taking a backseat approach.

“I’m still young and I’m learning every game and every session. I need as much guidance as I can, taking everything on.

“Steve’s done a lot in the game and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. It’s early days but I’m definitely going to come out of this loan a better player.”

Asked what Claridge is like to work with, Blair replied: “He’s not got a filter!

“You see that on the touchline. When I’ve played against Salisbury before he tells it how it is.

“That’s probably what you want as a player. If the manager’s telling you things to keep people happy, it confuses things.

“As a player, and my personality, that’s what I need. I’d rather him tell me if I’m doing something wrong.

“He’s very hands on in his approach. He likes to get involved with training and he doesn’t hold back in the dressing room.

“He’s quite an intense character but people respect him. You wouldn’t want to mess with him when he’s in a bad mood!”