NEW boss Lee Bellows reckons the return of the old guard can help Wareham Rangers hit his target of a top-five finish in the Dorset Premier League.

Former Poole Town full-back Kevin Gill, ex-Gosport Borough centre-half Michael White and midfielder Lee Phibbs are among those to join the rebuild with Bellows confident they can inspire a side that finished third bottom last season.

“We are hoping to finish in the top five,” said Bellows. “The side struggled last season but we have strengthened the squad with a couple of signings.

“Lee is a big coup for us and I think Kevin Gill could be a very big player if we can get him fit.

“We are trying to bring back the lads who played here recently but not over the past two seasons.

“It is a case of trying to get the players already here playing the right type of football. I think they got a bit disgruntled with performances but they have the quality, they just need a nudge in the right direction.

“We had a fantastic turnout of 40 players at the start of pre-season and now, it is just getting an idea of who will be in the squad for the coming season.”

On Thursday, Wareham host Hamworthy United in a pre-season friendly (6.30pm).

Bellows added: “I am good friends with Carl Poore (Hamworthy manager) so it will be interesting to see what side he brings.”

The DPL constitution has been ratified with Dorchester Sports, Gillingham Town reserves and Sturminster Newton accepted into the league to replace Shaftesbury, Weymouth reserves (promoted) and South Cheriton United (expelled).