BOSS Steve Cuss revealed he had virtually completed his painstaking Cuthbury rebuilding mission after sealing the signature of ex-Poole Town star Kevin Gill.

The Wimborne Town manager believes his latest capture from Tatnam could be the final piece of the Magpies jigsaw.

Cuss endured a transitional debut season at the helm last term after being left with just three players on the club’s books at the start of his tenure.

But after recruiting a host of new faces – including Dolphins old boys Micky Hubbard and Tom Jeffes – former Poole assistant manager Cuss eventually oversaw an upturn in fortunes.

Cuss, who has already retained most of Magpies’ existing players, also recently boosted his attacking op-tions by returning to his old club to sign prolific frontman Steve Smith.

He is optimistic that the changes will help make Wimborne more competitive in next season’s Southern League Division One South & West.

Cuss told the Daily Echo: “It is a totally different summer for me. When I was given the job, it was a case of getting out there and getting a squad together.

“It was always going to be the case that some of the players would prove they were good enough to be at Southern League level and others would probably fall by the wayside a little bit. That was what happened.

“It took us a little bit longer than we would have wanted to get the squad together but certainly in the last couple of months of the season, we were happy with the squad and felt we were competing in every game.

“Our main aim for this summer is to keep those players together.”

Discussing the signings of free agents Gill and Smith, Cuss added: “Kevin has a great track record of playing on either flank, he works hard, crosses the ball and creates things.

“The target was always to bring in quality players and we have made two quality signings. There may be room for one other but at the moment, we are happy with the signings we have made.

“Steve is a nice player to work with and always works hard and gives 100 per cent. His goalscoring record is very good.

“The opportunity came to sign Steve and he adds real quality to our squad and another striking option alongside the likes of Tom Jeffes, Matt Kemble and Jamie Davidson.”

Cuss confirmed that Magpies were still in talks with midfield duo Tom Hill and Hubbard, who have yet to re-sign.