TIVIDALE boss Dean Whitehouse has welcomed in three new recruits as he prepares for a congested second half of the season.

The Packwood Road side have 22 league games as well as cup fixtures to fit in before the end of the campaign and have been out of action since December 12.

Whitehouse (right) admits he fears the potential for burnout in his young squad and has moved to bolster his options, with the arrival of midfielder Chris Johnson from Blackheath Town.

Johnson replaces Joel Kettle, who has moved to Southern League Midland outfit Sutton Coldfied Town.

The manager has also sought to improve his attacking options by bringing in Matthew Morris from Penkridge and Greg Thornton.

He said: “We were behind everyone else anyway in terms of fixtures played because of our run in the FA Cup and this has made things worse.

“We will be playing three times a week from now on so I have no option but to make the squad bigger.

“It’s a young squad so you just don’t know how they will react to that amount of matches.

“I’m just looking for that bit more experience.”

Tivi have no fresh injury concerns and Whitehouse revealed the players had been able to train regularly during the break.

He revealed keeper James Trevalen is close to regaining full fitness after a period out through injury and was also full of praise for the departed Kettle.

Whitehouse added: “Sutton had watched Joel a few times and been impressed with what they saw, it’s a great move for him.

“He leaves us with our best wishes, his attitude has always been first class and he is welcome back here any time.

“Joel is only 18 and has considerable talent. I’m sure if he keeps working hard it won’t be his last upwards move.”