Dodd delights Rocks by joining from rivals Worthing

The 21-year-old leading Rebels scorer is making the switch to Nyewood Lane, sparking an intriguing battle for supremacy in the Rocks’ forward line.

And he could be the only signing the club make ahead of the new campaign.

After a week or so of speculation, he finally signed for the Rocks last night (Wednesday).

Rocks joint boss Jamie Howell said: “We like him. We’ll be getting a striker who’s physically-strong and has proved himself at this level. He scored 23 goals for Worthing last season.

“He’s only 21 and good-quality strikers, especially his sort of age, are hard to come by.”

Howell admitted Dodd’s recruitment could give him and fellow boss Darin Killpartrick a selection dilemma, with Jason Prior and Luke Nightingale competing with him for two places in the team at times.

The Rocks are confident Prior will stay with the club and Nightingale has already committed himself to the cause for another year.

Howell said: “There may be times when one of them misses out, but we may be able to accommodate all three with Luke playing behind the other two.

“Also, Luke isn’t getting any younger and needs protecting – he won’t play every game.

“So to have another top-class striker on board will be just what we need.”

Rebels boss Chris White said he had wanted Dodd to stay but now he had moved on, Worthing must move on too.

At Nyewood Lane, Howell said no other signings were imminent and Dodd could even be the sole summer addition.

They are talking to a winger about a move to the Lane but are not actively pursuing anyone else at the moment.

Pre-season training starts next Friday but Howell said: “Generally, we are happy with what we’ve got. It’s hard to identify a major weakness with the squad.”

One area of concern is a trio of midfielders with injuries which have not cleared up.

James Fraser needs surgery on shoulder damage and will not be fit for the start of the season, and Dan Beck may need a minor knee op which would keep him out of pre-season but would hopefull allow him back for the start of the league campaign.

The club are also monitoring Kane Wills’ recovery from a knee injury suffered at the end of the season, but hope a scan will give him the all-clear.

Follow Observer sports editor Steve Bone on twitter - @stevebone1 - for news on the Rocks and other Sussex and south-coast sport