WEYMOUTH have completed the signing of centre-back Joe Cook on a loan deal from Vanarama National League side Dorking Wanderers.

Cook, 24, has been restricted to nine league appearances for Marc White’s men this season, picking up two yellow cards and a one red.

The former Chesterfield, Havant & Waterlooville, Poole Town and Winchester City defender comes to the Bob Lucas Stadium on a 28-day loan.

Dorking, who are in FA Trophy third round action against Maidenhead tomorrow, have allowed Cook to play for Weymouth against Hendon in the competition tomorrow.

READ MORE: Hendon v Weymouth - Isuzu FA Trophy third round preview

Cook’s arrival eases slightly Weymouth’s defensive issues, with Jordon Thompson out suspended and Calvin Brooks set to serve a two-game suspension following the Hendon game.

Teddy Howe has returned from his own suspension, but Weymouth are adding extra cover after Charlie Rowan’s calf injury.

It comes after left-back David Sesay was allowed to move to Eastbourne Borough, while midfielder Tom Bearwish played at right-back against Torquay.

Weymouth under-23s defender Callum Small was also featured on the bench at Plainmoor, highlighting the Terras’ defensive shortage.

Explaining how the move for Cook came about, Terras’ boss Bobby Wilkinson thanked Dorking and White for their part in the deal.

He told Echosport: “I’m really pleased. When you get an opportunity to bring in Joe, an experienced powerful centre-half, who is a no-nonsense defender, I wasn’t going to turn that down.

“I know Marc really well and I spoke to him. We’ve lost Calvin now for two games and you don’t want to pick up another injury in that department with so many vital games coming up.

“Marc has helped me out in the past and I’ve helped him out in the past, so I appreciate his help.

“Joe wanted to come and play for Weymouth and help us out, so it’s a good move all round.

“If we ended up picking up another knock that could be vital, especially when you’ve got Dover, Weston coming, Chippenham. We wanted to make sure we were OK in that department.”

Cook follows in the footsteps of Archie Proctor, the centre-back last season playing three matches for the Terras while on loan from Dorking.

Weymouth are also in advanced talks to add another striker to their ranks for extra competition to top-scorer Ezio Touray, plus Ben Thomson and Dan Roberts.

Brandon Goodship is also in Weymouth’s armoury but the forward, who has been playing an attacking midfield role in recent games, picked up a calf strain in the 3-1 defeat at Torquay.

On the striker talks, Wilkinson added: “At this precise moment I’ve been trying to bring in a striker through the door.

“We were getting close at one point but I’m working round the clock. My strikers are playing well but I want a bit more competition. I’m trying to find a prolific goalscorer.”