Didcot  Town joint manager Ian Concannon has backed new signing Conor McDonagh to replicate the success of prolific striker John Mills.

The former North Leigh marksman has returned to Oxfordshire after spending last season with Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division 1 North side Ossett Albion.

Concannon feels he is the man to replace last season’s 57-goal top scorer Mills.

“Without a shadow of a doubt,” said Concannon.

“He’s scored goals at this level before and he’s a quality player.

“Whether he can score 57 next season remains to be seen, but he’s certainly capable of scoring 20-plus goals.

“We’re delighted to get him.

“As soon as we heard he was back in the area we got him in for a chat and were able to persuade him to sign for us.

“He’s a key signing for us, because he can hold the ball up and bring others into play, but most importantly he scores goals.”

McDonagh is Didcot’s third new signing this summer, following the arrival of Marvin Martin and Leigh Bedwell from Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West rivals Banbury United.

Despite the loss of those two key players, new Banbury boss Mike Ford is optimistic about the squad he has assembled since taking over as manager last month.

Ford has recruited Brian Bowles and Andy Gunn from North Leigh, Callum Convey and Ricky Johnson from Ardley United, John Steadman from Abingdon United and the returning Joe Coleman, as well as youthful Oxford City Nomads duo Zac McEachran and Louis Joyce.

“I’ve tried to keep a nucleus of about five or six local players,” said Ford.

“Players like Darius Browne and Leam Howards have stayed on from last season and I’ve brought in players like Callum Convey, who are also locally based.

“What I’m looking for most of all is reliability.

“A lot of fans have been asking me if we’re going to end up using 60 or 70 players again this season, where you’ll see a player three or four times and then they’re gone.

“The club needs stability most of all at the moment and we need players who are reliable – who are going to turn up on time and conduct themselves professionally.

“It’s going to be much more stable certainly than it has been in the last three or four years.”