ROBBIE Lakeman insists his Laverstock and Ford charges have enough “quality” to deal with the hammer blow of

industrious midfielder Kane O’Keefe leaving.

The Lavvy boss saw his central playmaker make the coveted switch to rivals Salisbury FC but can fill the gap with the strength and depth his squad offers, he says.

A busy transfer window has seen Lakeman sign five players in Seb Dawes, Adam Jones, Archie Lovegrove, Alexis Aguer and Sam Dorrington.

Dawes and Dorrington come from Bemerton, Jones was at The Wanderers last season, Aguer at Alderbury and Lovegrove from Sarum Youth Seniors.

Bolstering his squad with those signings could be key to seeing The Dell outfit returning to Wessex Premier following relegation in 2012.

“We have added both youth and experience to the squad this season but overall more quality all over the pitch,” said Lakeman.

“Losing Kane is obviously a massive blow but to be honest he is good enough to play another league or two higher than the Wessex Premier if he puts his mind to it.

"He goes with our blessing and we wish him well at Salisbury.

"We always said that if he was offered a chance at a higher level than us then we wouldn’t stand in his way.

“He thought this was a chance he couldn’t turn down which anyone who knows anything about football, would understand.”

“From our point of view though we have more than enough quality in the squad to deal with the loss and we are all looking forward to the new season with optimism, as we do each year.”

Lakeman is this year joined by Liam McConnell in the dugout.

Player/manager McConnell comes from The Wanderers which, under him, won seven trophies during their four-year existence, including two Salisbury and District Premier titles.

Goal-getting striker Jones was someone he brought with him.

Lakeman added: “Adam has also played at a higher level and is a good talker on the pitch with exceptional quality on the ball.

He has played within himself at a lower level for the last couple of years so we are hoping that this season he can get back up to the level he is more than capable of.”

“If we perform at a consistent level and everyone is committed to the cause then we will have a good season.”

Laverstock kick off the season at home to New Milton Town (3pm).