WEYMOUTH have signed coveted striker Alfie Rutherford on loan from Dorking Wanderers.

Rutherford, 25, joins on a one-month deal as he continues his fight to regain full match fitness and sharpness.

His only goal in three National League appearances came in the 2-1 win over Boreham Wood in November.

The forward has been plagued by surgeries in recent years after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament and then choosing go under the knife to relieve aortic stenosis.

Speaking to Echosport, manager Bobby Wilkinson said: “He’s a goal scorer, a very good worked, technically very good. He’s an honest lad.

READ MORE: Chippenham Town 1-1 Weymouth - report

“I’m just so pleased to have him. I’ve been a big admirer of his, I’ve watched him many, many times and had a brilliant conversation with him.

“He wants to come and play for Weymouth and help us out. It brings competition for the boys who are already here.

“I’ve made a statement in the last week and a half by bringing in a centre-half and two forwards. You can see how hard I’m working behind the scenes.”

Speaking to Dorking's official website, Wanderers' boss Marc White said: “I had a chat with Alfie and we both feel like we underestimated how long his lay-off has been.

"I called Alfie back prematurely from Bognor Regis, where he was only doing 45 minutes, having been out for 18 months and with no pre-season.

"In hindsight this was asking too much of Alfie, so we had a chat and decided to invest in him getting a loan agreement so he can get the extra minutes required to return to the Wanderers and go straight back into the side once he returns."

Rutherford is unlikely to make his debut against Wimborne tomorrow, though.

“No, we’re not going to be risking Alfie,” Wilkinson confirmed. “It’s the under-23s, with just two (first-team) players. Alfie will be part of the squad on Saturday.”

Rutherford could be joined this week by another signing, with a midfielder top of Wilkinson’s priority list.

“I want one more through the door,” he revealed. “I’m chasing a midfielder, even though we’ve got some brilliant midfielders we never replaced Josh McQuoid or Max Hemmings.

“I’ll be out there fighting to see if we can bring in one more this week, but it’s very difficult at the moment.

“It has to be the right player and within our budget. One or two will be going out on loan this week.”

Rutherford is the second signing from Dorking this month after centre-back Joe Cook joined Weymouth, also on a month’s loan.

Rutherford has extensive experience in the National League South, having spent time with Havant & Waterlooville and Eastbourne Borough.