Ady Gallagher has urged fans to be patient with new signing Connor Deeks – but believes the youngster can have an impact in the club's relegation battle.

The midfielder signed a contract at Crown Meadow until the summer of 2018 last weekend after the Blues agreed an undisclosed fee with Great Yarmouth Town.

Gallagher has been keeping a close eye on the player since he impressed on trial with the Blues last summer. Deeks decided to stay at Great Yarmouth at the time but after helping the Bloaters launch a promotion challenge in Thurlow Nunn Division One, he has remained on Gallagher's radar.

Deeks played in the Trawlerboys' 4-3 win over Thetford in a hastily arranged friendly on Tuesday night and Gallagher believes he can be a useful addition in the run-in.

'I think he has got the rest of this season to find his feet with us,' said Gallagher. 'There's a step up in fitness and standard which he will have to adjust to and we will have to be patient with him.

'But from what I've seen so far I think he will be able to make a valuable contribution.

'From my experience with young players they tend to rise to the challange and I think Connor can do that.'

Gallagher believes the extra playing experience gained at Yarmouth this season has stood Deeks in good stead.

'He was a player that really showed his potential in the summer,' added Gallagher. 'I didn't think he had enough confidence in himself at the time. But he has benefited greatly from going back to Yarmouth and helped them to the position that they are in. He needs to push on now – hopefully he can come back and show his ability.'

Deeks' arrival could be a timely boost for Lowestoft, who sit just a point above the relegation zone.

Deeks is able to operate as a central defender and with Jack Ainsley departing for Leiston last week, he could yet be thrown in the Blues' next league game against Fylde on Tuesday.

'He is comfortable playing at centre half, which will obviously help us,' said Gallagher. 'He's got a lot of quality on the ball and is aggressive in the tackle. He's just a good all round player.'