MAGPIES’ boss Mark Jermyn has insisted new signing Nick Swann has not been brought in to replace either Luke Holmes or Charlie Davis.

Swann has signed on a non-contract basis from Hamworthy United and becomes the second player to sign at the Avenue after utility frontman Ben Wood signed from Bideford last week.

These two new signings come after Dorchester lost Luke and Toby Holmes to Wimborne Town and Davis to arch-rivals Weymouth.

Both Luke and Davis were central midfielders, who featured heavily in the first team for the Magpies last season, left a big hole to fill.

Despite central midfield being Swan’s natural position, Jermyn will not hurry the playmaker into filling the big shoes that have left behind by others.

Jermyn told Echosport: “It’s not a case of replacing players, it’s about the style of play.

“I want us to play passing football and he can help with that.

“We can’t carry too many players like Nick because of his height.

“Last year, if we had kept Luke Holmes then we would’ve had two similiar central midfielders and that would have been a tough ask.”

Dorchester were speaking to the teenager for much of the summer since the end of the season.

Swann has attracted from other clubs, but Jermyn feels the Magpies’ track record of improving young talent was one of the key reasons Swann came to the Avenue.

Jermyn added: “You only have to look at the players we have brought through, like Jonah (Ayunga). We are giving people the opportunity to perform.

“But we can’t chuck him in at the deep end, he has to earn the right to play.”