GRIMSBY Town have all the bases covered ahead of the new Conference Premier campaign – defensively at least.
Carl Magnay's arrival on Tuesday evening means the Mariners now have eight specialist defenders on their books.
And, with the former Gateshead man able to play right across the back four, manager Paul Hurst is confident he won't need any more defensive reinforcements.
"Defensively, that's us sorted," Hurst told the Telegraph. "I won't be looking for another defender.
"Predominantly, Carl is a centre-back – that's where he'd like to play I think.
"He came on Tuesday night against Harrogate and in the short space of time he was on he showed that bit of experience and read the game quite well. But he can also play at left-back and right-back as he did in the play-off games against us last season.
"It's great I've got someone who can play all across there and bring competition to the squad.
"He played in big games with Gateshead last year at the business end of the season, and he knows this league well."
Hurst remains in the market for at least one striker, along with a winger and central midfielder.
However, he is happy to add Magnay who has been on trial with Partick Thistle throughout pre-season.
He continued: "Carl was in Scotland and they wanted him to go back up there. But he wanted something sorted and said that if he was going to come back down, we would be his first choice.
"True to his word, we've got him in and I'm sure he'll soon integrate into the squad.
"It's not like he's been sat at home waiting for the phone to ring either. He's been in training up there, so he's played in three games before coming to us and is in good shape."
