CHRISTCHURCH boss Michael Cuffie claims to have replaced departed defender Jordan Cole with a superior option after snapping up latest signing Ben Sullivan.

The left-sided player, who played under Cuffie at Lymington Town, played a part in Brockenhurst’s Wessex One title success last season and joins the Hurn Bridge outfit in time for their first fixture of 2014.

Cuffie’s options had been left light following a series of injuries and the loss of key players over the past couple of months, in-cluding Cole’s decision to pursue a move to Hamworthy United.

And on the back of losing centre-half Mark Jamison, who Cuffie said had moved away from the area due to work commitments, the Priory boss was delighted to boost his numbers ahead of Saturday’s trip to Totton & Eling.

Cuffie told the Daily Echo: “I have been after Ben for quite a while and it is nice to have him on board. He was only 16 when he first played for me in the Wessex League at Lymington and his presence will definitely strengthen the squad.

“We needed to try and boost the numbers because we have been struggling with injuries. Like Jordan, Ben is very flexible and can slot in anywhere down the left. He is the perfect replacement really and, in my opinion, is the better player.”

Meanwhile, Cuffie revealed his search for new faces would continue into the new year but insisted any potential recruits must be ready to hit the ground running.

“I am looking but at this stage of the season it is very difficult to find players who play every week, can come straight in and add something,” added Cuffie.

“If you bring in too many players without enough game time you end up starting all over again, so, unless the right players become available, I will stick with the ones I have.”