By Harry Abbott

Bath City manager Adie Britton confirmed the club have secured the services of Scott Bartlett from Weston-super-Mare ahead of his side's clash with Dover Athletic at Twerton Park on Saturday (3pm).

Bartlett, 30, was a member of the Salisbury City side that won promotion from the same division three years ago and Britton revealed he had been keen on the player for some time.

Britton said: "We have been talking to him for a while and we made him an offer when he left Salisbury last year. Unfortunately we were not able to compete financially with Weston at that time."

The versatility of Bartlett, who can play at full-back or either side of midfield, was one of the major factors that convinced Britton to sign the player.

He said: "We have a small squad here at the moment and we have been looking for reinforcements.

"The variety that he brings was too good to miss. He isn't going to open sides up but he is another piece in the jigsaw and that is what we need.

"We signed Adie Harris recently and he has given us options but Scott can push forward as well as defend."

Bartlett missed Tuesday night's encounter between the two sides, in which City ran out 1-0 winners. Britton confirmed that the proposed move was the reason behind the player's absence.

He said: "He expressed that he was eager to join us and that allowed us to speak to him. We are grateful to them that they have given him his wish of joining us."

Bartlett is not the only player City are hoping to bring in. Britton confirmed that the club have been looking at several players but any further transfers would depend on gate receipts at home games.

He said: "We are looking at some attacking players at the moment and we are weighing up if we can afford them.

"If we can get good crowds in that allows us extra opportunities and we will look to strengthen further.

"I will talk to the board and see what we can do. If we see something that we think is acceptable then we will go for it."

Despite soldiering on with a small squad, Britton is pleased with his side's current form which now sees them sit just two points of a Blue Square South play-off spot.

On City's chances of finishing in the top five, he said: "We hope we can do it. Bit by bit we will get stronger and anyone who comes in will do a job to push us in the right direction. We will do our best to get there at the end of the season."

Lewis Hogg and Mark Badman will both join Bartlett for tomorrow's clash with play-off rivals Dover before serving their suspensions.

Hogg was dismissed against Weston on Tuesday and will serve a three-match ban, starting with the game at Maidenhead next week.

Badman picked up his fifth booking of the season in the same game and will also be forced out of the away trip next Saturday.

Midfielder Marcus Browning continues to miss out, his operation last night means he will not return for another four weeks.