MANAGER Adie Arnold insists his summer overhaul at relegated Christchurch has only just begun after capturing ex-Cherries midfielder James Rowe and goalkeeper Andy Knights.

Rowe, 28, was handed his Dean Court debut at the age of 17 and played at Dorchester and Poole before work commitments curtailed his non-league career.

He played 21 times for Dorset Premier League outfit Merley last season but has been persuaded to aid Priory’s bid for an immediate return to the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division.

Veteran midfielder Mark Smith has agreed to stay put, although Christchurch have lost Adam Tong and Joe Wood to Verwood, as well as highly-rated striker Jack Lovell to Graham Kemp’s Bemerton.

And the Hurn Bridge boss revealed the revolving door would continue to spin as he plots to get out of Division One at the first attempt.

Arnold told the Daily Echo: “James has the sort of calibre we are looking for ahead of a very difficult season because we know just how hard Wessex One will be to get out of.

“It has been one of my busiest pre-seasons in terms of talking to players and we hope to be bringing a few in but we must also be careful to get the right balance.

“Three lads have gone and I would expect a couple more to follow. There will be a few coming in as well, I have spoken to quite a players interested in coming to Christchurch and that is a positive sign.

“Smudge (Smith) will have a big part to play and my aim is to put together a squad, not just a team, that is strong enough to take us straight back up."