FROME Town manager Brian O’Donnell has swooped for one of his former protégés after bringing in defender Tim Stephenson from Calor League Premier Division strugglers Bashley.

The versatile 21-year-old signed a professional contract with AFC Bournemouth in 2010 and was coached by O’Donnell as he came through the Cherries ranks.

Stephenson has also featured for Weymouth and becomes the Robins chief’s second signing since taking over at Badgers Hill in October.

“Tim is someone that I coached at Bournemouth when he was young and I think he’ll be a good addition,” said O’Donnell.

“He can play across the back four and also in defensive midfield. He has struggled with injury problems over the years though and he was at Weymouth and Bashley to try and get over those.

“I’ve been looking at new recruits all of the time but there are still people attached to the squad that I’ve yet to see play because of injury.

“I’ve been impressed by the players that are here already though and there’s been a lot of reasons for encouragement so far.”

The Frome boss was keen to take the positives from his side’s defeat to Truro City last weekend.

Olly Brokenshaw got on the end of a lofted free-kick before poking past Robins keeper Darren Chitty to give the visitors the lead after 23 minutes.

Moments later, Frome were handed a moment to climb as midfielder Kurt Hammonds was shown a straight red card for a lunging challenge on Cody Cooke.

Aaron Pugh headed home Truro’s second before half-time but Matt Smith reduced the deficit in the second period as he netted from an Aaron Ledgister corner.

O’Donnell said: “As soon as we went down to 10 men, we lost any fear that we had and took the game to Truro.

“In the second half, they had to play five at the back because we were on the front foot so much and I thought that we were unlucky not to get something out of the game.”

Frome host free-sccoring title-chasers Hemel Hempstead Town, who suffered a shock 5-0 FA Trophy defeat at Hungerdford Town last weekend, tomorrow.

Stephenson is in line to make his Robins debut but Matt Cowler and Bryan Smith are missing.

FOR MORE FOOTBALL NEWS, REPORTS & PICTURES SEE FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @WTSport