Bobby Wilkinson believes Wealdstone have made a real coup by securing the services of Connor Stevens and wouldn’t be surprised if he lands a big move sooner rather than later.

The former Watford youngster arrived at the Vale at the start of the month after impressing for the Stones during pre-season and is familiar with the National League South having spent time on loan with Oxford City last season.

Stevens came through the ranks with Watford and signed his first professional contract with the Golden Boys two years ago.

Having helped the Hornets’ under-18s win the Professional Development League 2 South title in 2015/16, he went on to establish himself as a regular in the club’s under-23s after signing his first contract at Vicarage Road.

Wealdstone acted quickly to snap up the former Watford man this summer and Wilkinson believes the Stones are fortunate to land such a ‘young talent.’

“We’re very fortunate to pick up a young lad like this,” Wilkinson said.

“He’s definitely going quite far in the game. Hopefully, I can guide him a little bit and help him out. To sign such a young talent with the desire that he’s got, I’m very surprised he’s come out of the game if I’m being honest.

“He’s very good on the ball and he’s a winner as well. I don’t think he’ll be with us for long. We’ve signed him on a contract but I think if we start the season well, people will be all over him. I do get a bit of a buzz helping people move on to the next level as I can remember when I was that age and you want to help people.

“As long as he’s doing well for Wealdstone, we’ll all wish him the best. It’s a very shrewd signing if it works and he plays with the confidence that we know he can.”

It has proven to be a busy summer for the Stones off the pitch, with 16 new faces arriving at the club, one of which was Bradley Hudson-Odoi, who has returned to the Ruislip based club after two seasons away.

There have also been a number of departures as well, meaning it will be a new look Wealdstone team which lines up against Weston-super-Mare on the opening day of the National League South season on Saturday, August 4.

The Stones boss was pleased to get most of his business done early but hasn’t ruled out further arrivals in the coming weeks.

He said: “As a manager, you always want to get your business done early. You always want to attack the players you want, know the players you want and then believe in them. The ones that are going to fight day and night and work hard, are ones that are going to succeed.

“I’ve gone for a certain player. I haven’t gone for the most talented players all the time. You go for winners and then you go for the talented players, because individual talent doesn’t win you anything. It’s all about being together and I think that’s so important.

“I have to be careful what I say because I wasn’t going to sign anyone else and then someone else knocks on your door. I’m happy with the squad but you can always improve and I’ll certainly try and improve.”