ALEX Browne has made initial moves to enhance his Wimborne Town squad after veteran midfielder Mark Smith departed Cuthbury.

Boss Browne previously admitted his desire to bolster his resources, with Magpies struggling in the lower reaches of the Southern League Division One South and West table.

Following Smith’s decision to rejoin Christchurch, Browne wished the 32-year-old all the best and confirmed he had already stepped up his search for new recruits.

He told the Echo: “I made a couple of phone calls to a couple of clubs on Wednesday night and, hopefully, there will be something happening pretty soon.”

Former Bournemouth Poppies and Bashley man Smith moved back to Cuthbury in September, having made more than 200 appearances for the club earlier in his career.

But Priory boss Graham Kemp was delighted to welcome him back to Hurn Bridge. He said: “I think any club in the Wessex League would have liked to sign him.”

Meanwhile, Browne is focusing his attention on tomorrow’s basement battle at fourth bottom Yate, as Wimborne go in search of what would be only their fifth league win since earning promotion to step four.

He added: “We’re fighting for our lives and every point is essential, all the more so when you are playing the teams in and around you.”

Wimborne will be boosted by the return of influential captain Paul Roast, who is named in the squad after work commitments ruled him out of Monday’s heavy defeat against AFC Totton.

Magpies: (from) Walker-Harris, Yelland, Wilson, Lockyer, Lloyd, Green, Stokoe, Barnes, Hunt, Culliford, James, Curtis, L Powell, Allen, Mitchell, Clarke, Roast.