MANAGER Tom Killick reckons Poole Town can profit from Michael Walker’s desire to “prove a point” following his nightmare year at Weymouth.

As exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo via Twitter, Dolphins today swooped for their Southern South & West title-winning captain on non-contract terms less than 12 months after Walker switched allegiances to his hometown club.

Having signed a two-year deal with the Terras, he was beset by injury problems during pre-season and, along with brother Nathan Walker, was transfer listed in December following a dispute with the club’s board.

The towering defender was then consigned to the sidelines for much of the second half of the campaign before cutting short his stint at the Bob Lucas Stadium by mutual consent five days ago.

That ill-fated stint saw Walker’s credentials questioned in certain quarters but Killick was quick to back his returning talisman’s talents.

The Tatnam boss told the Daily Echo: “When I spoke to Michael, it struck me that he had been stung by the criticism and how things had panned out for him at Weymouth. He seems quite angry about it all and determined to put it right.

“I think he wants to prove a point because he knows he can be a very good performer in our league if we get him properly fit, which we intend to do.

“You have to look at the circumstances surrounding his time over there, particularly the injury which made him miss pre-season. He made an early comeback and never had the chance to get as fit as he should have been.”

And despite being spoiled for choice in the defensive third, Killick insisted Walker had not been brought back to make up the numbers.

“In the same way he was before, he can be a very important character for us and we will benefit from his drive and determination,” he added. “You can never have too many players in that mould.

“He’s left footed and from that point view he fits well with Jamie Whisken. We’ve got Mark Jermyn and Sam Clarke as well, so we will work it all out in pre-season.

“I have certain ideas in my head but I’m certainly not bringing back Michael to be on the periphery of things.”

Meanwhile, Killick reported no progress on his search for strikers after missing out on Winchester-bound Warren Bentley, with the future of ex-Cherries youngster Jordan Chiedozie still uncertain.

“Jordan knows I want to sign him but he needs to decide exactly what he wants to do. He’s keeping his options open for now,” said Killick.