Gosport Borough are potentially dangerous opponents for Merthyr Town at the Loadlok Community Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

They are bottom of the Southern League Premier table and have failed to win in 12 matches, but Gosport have a new manager and strengthened their squad this week.

Manager Mick Caitlin has signed striker Dale Mason from AFC Portchester, Jack Breed from the club’s academy and former Bournemouth trainee Ethan Millar.

The Hampshire club have collected only one point this season, scoring nine goals and conceding 42.

They lost 7-2 at Dorchester Town in midweek when Caitlin could only name one substitute and Caitlin said: “Hopefully we can start moving in the right direction.”

Visitors Gosport remain under a transfer embargo and Caitlin had to deregister some players to add new signings.

“I have been able to get some players off the books,” said Caitlin. “It gives me a chance to bring some of the young lads through.

“That has to be the way forward for us at the moment.

“Admittedly, the Southern League is a harsh environment where the physicality – more than anything – is the biggest challenge.

“The youngsters are good technically, but struggle with the physical aspects.”

Mason has been scoring consistently for AFC Portchester in Wessex League Premier football, while Breed has been on international duty with Gibraltar’s under-21 team.

Attacking midfield player Millar, 20, was on Bournemouth’s books as a youth player, but was released.

Merthyr welcome back Stuart Fleetwood after suspension and Curtis McDonald is now a lot closer to full match fitness after recovering from injury.

They are still without big striker Ryan Prosser because of a back problem, while left-back Cameron Pring has returned to Bristol City after a loan spell.

The Martyrs urgently need a good team performance and a win after conceding 10 goals in two matches, losing 5-0 at Kettering Town and 5-4 against Slough Town after they had been four goals ahead.

The continued absence of experienced duo Jamie Brown and Luke King is a blow for Gosport. Brown is ruled out by injury, while work commitments have kept defender King out and he will be missing again.

Catlin is hoping after this weekend that King will be available on a more regular basis.

Merthyr Town squad: Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Ashley Evans (capt), Jarrad Wright, Scott Tancock, Curtis McDonald, Jaye Bowen, Robbie Patten, Kyle Patten, Mo Touray, Eliot Richards, Stuart Fleetwood, Ian Traylor, Corey Jenkins, Kyle Copp, Kerry Morgan.

Admission prices at the Loadlok Community Stadium for Saturday’s Southern League home match v Gosport: Adult £10, Concessions £8 (Over-65, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County season ticket holders), Merthyr RFC season ticket holders £5, under-16 £1.