Halstead Town have moved swiftly to bolster their defence after news that centre-half Nico Farthing will be out for up to six months with a shoulder injury.

The club have learned this week that Farthing will need an operation after dislocating his shoulder two weeks ago so manager Mark Benterman has brought in Jimmy Laird from Cornard United as a like-for-like replacement.

He said: “We’ve had the news that Nico is going to need surgery on his shoulder and that’s a real blow for us.

“He is committed to the club and has said himself that he wants to be with us for next season, which is great.

“But we need someone like him at the back now and so we’ve brought in Jimmy Laird, who has been at Cornard United.

“Jimmy is a friend of mine and he was happy to come.

“He’s a ball winner and an aggressor and we saw the benefits of Nico playing that role when he came in so we wanted someone similar.

“I feel Jimmy is an ideal replacement as he plays with his heart on his sleeve.”

Halstead will be looking to extend some encouraging form in recent Thurlow Nunn League division one games – that has seen them take five points from their last three outings – when they host Stowmarket Town at Rosemary Lane today (kick-off 3pm).