EVESHAM United manager Paul Collicutt feels he has added a new dimension to their midfield after finally landing the signing of Ashley Williams.

The former Newport County player will bring a "nasty" side to the Robins engine room that has been previously lacking, according to Collicutt who has tried to recruit the 29-year-old in the past.

Evesham have also re-signed many of last season's successful squad, including captain and centre-half Matt Sysum and strike pair Ashley Edenborough and Lance Smith, after they finished second in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West but missed out in the play-offs.

Caerleon-based Williams arrives at the Jubilee Stadium from Premier Division side Paulton Rovers after also previously playing for Mangotsfield United, Chippenham Town and Yate Town.

Collicutt said: "I hope Ashley will up the standard for us in that midfield area, where I've been looking to create more competition. I'd like to think the Evesham supporters will take him to their hearts.

"He's physically strong and likes a tackle. He's a nice lad as well. But he's a winner, has a good pedigree and a nasty streak in his game that we lacked last season.

"He's a player I've admired for many seasons and this is not the first time I've tried to sign Ashley. There's a feel-good factor about the place."

With striker Adam Mann already under contract for next season, Collicutt has also kept influential keeper Kevin Sawyer, player-of-the-season Linden Dovey, defender Jared Wilson, the versatile Liam Harding, experienced winger Marcus Jackson, attacking midfielder Lee Smith and youngster Lewis Binns.

He plans to speak to Nick Stanley, Carl Brown and George Washbourne among others at training but fellow midfielder Ollie Knowles has moved to Devon and left the Robins.

United returned to pre-season last Thursday and also met on Tuesday night ahead of the first pre-season friendly at Gosport Borough in Hampshire on Saturday, July 11.

Collicutt, who is looking at several trialists, added: "I have to give credit where it's due. A lot of players do keep themselves fit at the gym, which is good. But I do find the best form of fitness for a footballer is game-time.

"The idea of any pre-season is to hit the ground running for that first league game."