AMBITIOUS newcomer Franklyn Clarke says he’s relishing the prospect of proving himself at Salisbury as the play-off race hots up.

The 24-year-old was snapped up by Steve Claridge on Thursday’s transfer deadline day after parting company with Dorchester Town.

Since being recruited, Clarke has played twice for Whites in the space of four days.

He made his debut in the 4-0 defeat to Hereford on Saturday before helping Whites crush relegated Bridgwater Town 7-0 on Tuesday night.

“Everyone has been very welcoming, so it’s made it easy for me,” said Clarke, who lives in Weymouth.

“As you can see, it’s a lovely place to play so, yes, enjoying it so far.

“I spoke to the gaffer [Steve Claridge] and he said come in and show us what you can do until the end of the season and then we’ll speak again in the summer.

“I’m coming in to give it my all and see where it takes us.”

The victory in midweek propelled Whites back to fourth spot.

They are currently one point behind third-placed Tiverton Town and three from second-placed Taunton Town with five games to go.

The teams which finish second and third get the home advantage in next month’s play-offs, with the highest-placed team out of the two semi-final winners to host the final.

Whites’ remaining games are against Shortwood United on Saturday (A), Wantage (H), Mangotsfield (A), Wimborne (H) and Bideford (A).

And ahead of the run-in, Clarke, a football coach at Champion, believes Whites can secure runners-up spot.

“I think we can finish second, we need to win every game now. There’s no reason why we cannot,” he added.

“I’ve played in this league before for Wimborne and you look at the quality we’ve got, there’s no reason we cannot win the rest of our games.

“We can only control what’s in our hands, keep winning and keep putting pressure

on Tiverton and Taunton.”

Traditionally a centre midfielder, Clarke dropped into centre-back against Bridgwater.

Talking on the change of position, the Liverpudlian told JournalSport: “I can play either really.”

“I prefer centre mid but it’s not about me, it’s about the team. And if the gaffer tells me to play in goal I will play in goal.

“I’m just as comfortable playing centre-half but I like to get about the pitch in midfield.”