BASINGSTOKE Town manager Jason Bristow has added another player to his squad for the 2013-14 season, securing the signature of central defender Jay Gasson.

Gasson, who is 28, joined the Camrose club from Havant and Waterlooville in 2010, making 132 appearances and scoring two goals in the three seasons since.

Bristow said: “I think Jay has done well for us this year despite having a lot of different partners through the season for various reasons.

“He is a naturally left-footed centre-back, a good athlete, strong in the air and a good player for us.”

Gasson is glad to have signed up for a fourth year at the Camrose and expects the squad to improve on what was a disappointing 2012-13 campaign.

“I am pleased to have re-signed because I have enjoyed my time at the club,” he said. “Last season was disappointing for everyone but looking at the league, I think we have got a great chance of doing well next time around.

“I think last year shocked us and I expect us to perform better next season. We also had a lot of injuries but it looks like we are going to have cover in every position this year.”

Bristow also revealed that he has agreed terms with wide man Nathan Smart and Chris Paterson, with both expected to put pen to paper in the coming days.

Smart also joined Basingstoke in 2010, joining from Fleet Town. Many of his 135 appearances since then have come at right-back, but Bristow is looking to use as a winger in the future.

“We are hoping to play Nathan a further forward next season,” the Town boss said. “He is a good forward thinking player and some of that is lost when he plays at right-back.”

Young centre-back Paterson joined Town from Hartley Wintney last summer, making 12 appearances over the course of the season.

“We will be looking to get Chris Paterson out on loan to get him games,” Bristow said. “He is a massive prospect and we were not able to manage him the way we wanted last year because of the injury problems we had.”

The addition of Gasson, Smart and Paterson will take Bristow’s squad to 16 players, including several youngsters, while he remains in talks with midfielder Stuart Lake and strikers Tim Sills and Manny Williams.