GIANT defender Ben Martin has become the third player to be captured by Salisbury on the Southern League's transfer deadline day.

The 34-year-old joins attackers Jesse Waller-Lassen and Franklyn Clarke but, unlike them, is unavailable to feature in tomorrow's showdown with table-toppers Hereford (3pm).

The 6ft 7in player has signed on dual registration with Vanarama South outfit Welling United and the two clubs will share his services until the end of the season.

He will play for Welling United against Hungerford Town tomorrow, after which the two clubs will come to an agreement about which games he plays for which club.

Nicknamed 'Big Ben', he has a wealth of experience, including two play-off wins with St Albans City, helping to take them into both the old Conference South and Conference National. He has also been part of a Conference South play-off final win with Boreham Wood and won promotion to the Conference previously with Welling.

“Ben has a really good pedigree,” said boss Steve Claridge, whose triple signings were all made yesterday.

“He knows what end-of-season run-ins and play-offs are all about and will bring us both a great defensive option and an experienced head.”

He began his career at Swindon Town on a one-year deal but, after loan spells at Lincoln City and Farnborough Town, he settled for a long spell at his home town club, St Albans City.

Waller-Lassen also signed on dual registration from Team Solent while Clarke left Southern Premier outfit Dorchester Town earlier this week.