MIDFIELDER James Palmer is the latest addition to Gloucester City's growing squad.

Manager Dave Mehew moved to sign the pacey 21-year-old from Weston-super-Mare after he impressed during a five-match loan spell last season.

He is the newest player to join Mehew's men ahead of their first season in the Blue Square Conference North.

Palmer started out as a youngster at Bristol Rovers and signed an 18-month professional contract, although he eventually moved on to Weston in 2008 without a first team appearance for Rovers.

Mehew said: "James is fantastic. He did well in the time he spent with us before when Matt Rose was out.

"He will definitely be giving Rose and Tom Webb some competition."

Meanwhile Mehew has been continuing his work to secure last year's squad, with the latest to commit for the coming season being influential midfielder Tom Webb.

The 25-year-old sports teacher at Beaufort Community School in Gloucester is currently recovering from a knee injury picked up during the play-off final at Farnborough.

Mehew said he never doubted the commitment of Webb.

"It is brilliant that he signed," said Mehew. "I didn't think he would leave us. He had a fantastic season and got back to what I am told is his best and I have no doubt he will kick on again next season.

"It will be touch and go if he is ready for the start of the season but it could put Palmer into play."

But Mehew remained tight lipped on news on a replacement keeper for Kev Sawyer who left last month to join Weston.

"It has been agreed in principal and that is it," he said.

He said he expected to confirm more players next week and was looking forward to the team's first training session at the end of the month.

"We will be looking for one or two new players on top of the keeper and I have a few trialists lined up," he said.

"You are always looking for the diamond in the rough, last year it was Jack Harris. There will be a lot of fall out from the leagues and I am getting the odd phone call here and there."

With a tougher season ahead in the Blue Square North Mehew said his players had been asked to maintain their fitness over the summer.

"My team talk at the county cup final in Bristol was about keeping fit over the summer," he said. "At the beginning of last season I asked for an extra 10 per cent to get us into the play-offs, this time I want an extra 10-20 per cent because we need to be fitter."