YATE TOWN boss Rob Cousins has swooped for three new signings – but is set to lose last season’s players’ player of the year Robin Nicholls.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who started his career at Brentford, has been invited to join League Two side Bristol Rovers for pre-season training but looks likely to go to America in September on a College scholarship.

Nicholls’ all-action displays alerted Rovers boss Mark McGhee, who had a look at him in training last season and has asked him to come back, although he could yet play a part in Yate’s pre-season campaign.

He was signed from Weymouth by former boss Dave Mogg in the 2010/11 campaign and scored ten goals last season, including four in the 10-1 FA Cup win over Melksham Town.

Danny Wring will fill the void left by Nicholls after agreeing to join Yate from Southern League Division One South & West rivals Bridgwater Town, along with Ollie Barnes, who can play at centre-back or left back.

Striker Mitchell Page has become the latest player to defect from local rivals Mangotsfield United to join Yate.

He follows in the footsteps of Matt Groves, Tom Knighton and Harley Purnell, who all made the move across South Gloucestershire last season.

Cousins has also stated that most of last season’s squad have already agreed to stay.

Yate are hoping to arrange a friendly with Bristol Rovers before the start of next season.

They have already set dates for home games against Conference sides Gloucester City and Bath City on Saturday, August 4 and August 11 respectively.

Longwell Green is Yate’s only confirmed away friendly on Saturday, July 28, but they are also expected to visit Bitton, Wells City and Cadbury Heath.