Sutton United boss Paul Doswell says he had to be patient, but he has signed another striker to forge competition for the front places.

Stuart Fleetwood has signed a two-year deal, ending a two-year spell at Eastleigh, which included a loan spell with Forest Green Rovers last season.

The 29-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the United frontline, having made almost 250 appearances and scoring more than 90 goals at clubs including Hereford United and Luton Town.

His most prolific spell came at Rovers in 2007 when he bagged 28 goals in 41 games, and although he failed to find the back of the net during his loan at The New Lawn, he comes with glowing references.

Doswell said: “We have had to be patient on this signing, and we've been talking for some time regards the clubs ambitions and hopes for the future, while also sticking to our strict budget.

“Stuart is really looking forward to joining the club and adding much needed competition to Craig McAlister and Craig Dundas, as well as Dan Flitchett.”

He added: “Stuart’s best position is as a second striker playing off a target man, and I think the fact we share that opinion was a significant factor in him coming.

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“He's had to play out wide in a 4-3-3 system, and while happy enough to play there, it's clearly not his preferred position.

“We also had fantastic reports on him from Richard Hill and Ady Pennock - his managers last season.”

One striker unlikely to be affected is Billy Medlock, who has been allowed to talk to other clubs.

Doswell said: “Billy has picked up a driving ban which might make travelling in during the day expensive and logistically difficult.

“We will wait and see - we were always keen on Stuart [Fleetwood] regardless of this situation, but a goalscorer of Billy’s calibre will be sought after and he’s already talking to three clubs.”