IAN Hutchinson has pulled off a transfer coup by enticing defender Ben Gerring to the Bob Lucas Stadium.

The Terras’ boss initially thought he had lost out on the ex-Plymouth Argyle man after Forest Green Rovers had invited to him a trial just over a fortnight ago.

But patience has paid off and in an amazing turnaround the 19 year-old has finally put pen to paper on a one-year contract, giving Hutchinson a huge boost as he continues to try and strengthen his ranks ahead of the new Zamaretto Premier League campaign.

He said: “This is a big boost for the squad and hopefully it won’t be the last signing we make before the season gets underway.

“Ben showed a lot of quality in our friendlies against Torquay United and Crawley Town, however, we didn’t think we would get him once he went on trial at Forest Green but we kept our eye on him and we are delighted to now have him on board.

“He is a big lad at six-feet-four-inches tall, so he will be fantastic at set-pieces, and he is still just 19, although he is a lot more mature than his years.

“He has a good head on him and he is hopefully going to be an integral part of what we are trying to do down here. But like the rest of the lads, there are no promises, and it is now up to him to work his socks off and show everyone what he can do.”

Gerring will not play in tonight’s penultimate pre-season friendly against Hamworthy United (7.45pm), along with Jules Emati-Emati, and Sam Clarke and Lewis Ironside, who are both still recovering from the knocks they sustained in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Longwell Green.

Simon Radcliffe will also miss out again through injury but could be back in time to play some part in Saturday’s local derby against his former side Dorchester Town at the Bob Lucas Stadium (3pm).

Three players who will be on show for the Terras at the County Ground this evening are trialists Cheol Min-Kim and Ben Biffington, and returning keeper Tom Manley, who has recovered from a hip problem.

Terras (from): Manley, Weeks, Neish, Vincent, Dixon, Oldring, Welch, MacGookin, Biffington, Halloran, Reiffer, Litherland, Marshallsay, Kemble, Charles, Whyton, Min-Kim, Tribe.