PERSISTENCE paid off for Brendon King following the capture of highly-rated Plymouth Argyle teenager Jamie Richards on loan for the rest of the season.

The defender, 18, is joined at the Bob Lucas Stadium for the remaining six league games by Dorchester Town midfielder Jamie Symes.

The duo have been brought in by Terras’ chief King to bolster a squad struck down by suspensions and injuries in recent weeks.

Both Essex-born Richards and former Bridport playmaker Symes go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s home clash with Redditch United (3pm).

King told Echosport he spent several weeks trying to bring Richards to Weymouth before Plymouth first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell came through with the good news.

“I’m overjoyed,” said King. “Jamie Richards has been in and around the Plymouth side and has played two first-team games this season.

“He’s a defender who can play at centre half or left back so gives us versatility.

“I think he’s very highly thought of down there having spoken a lot to Kevin, who has given me good reviews and who I’m very grateful to for making it happen.

“I was on to Kevin quite a lot so a bit of persistence paid off in the end and he came up trumps.”

Symes, meanwhile, hasn’t managed to force his way into Phil Simkin’s plans this season and spent two months on loan at former club Bridport before being recalled to the Avenue earlier this month.

“Jamie Symes is keen to get some games under his belt and is a player I’ve known for a while,” added King.

“He hasn’t been getting in the Dorchester side and with suspensions and injuries here I thought he could make an impact for us.

“He is a very talented player who is good on the ball and is another one that is versatile.”

King has demanded a reaction from his players following their 3-0 home defeat to Chesham last time out with changes to the starting line-up for tomorrow’s game likely to be made.

And despite his side sitting sixth, level on points with Chesham, who occupy the last play-off place in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division, King believes the Terras are going to find it tough to force their way into the top five.

“All the teams around us have got games in hand so the play-offs are going to be a tall order,” he said.

“The lads have got to make amends for last weekend and repay the fans for their support.

“We might make a few changes and freshen things up and with a game tomorrow and Monday the two new lads give us a few more options.”

Meanwhile, the club would like to thank Wessex Fantasy Football for sponsoring Richards’s move to Weymouth.

Terras (from): Evans, Poole, Wells, McConnell, Richards, Reed, Clay, Smith, Symes, Joyce, Ford, Walker, Skinner, Clarke, Groves, Povall.