ENGLAND Students wing Mike Melford heads a list of summer signings as Canterbury prepare for their first season of National League rugby.

Melford, who made a big impression in the national students side last season, has rejoined the city club after completing a degree at Loughborough University.

He will be joined at Merton Lane by lock Dean Tolman, another senior squad member who spent a brief period away from the club because of work commitments.

Forwards Tom Murray (Ashford) and Benn Smith (Whitstable) are also back in the Canterbury stable, while new faces include young Kent County full-back David Dorton, from Aylesford Bulls, and versatile forward Matt Calitz who won regular county honours while at Westcombe Park.

The only doubts surround skipper Chris Hinkins, hooker Matt Ford and lock Andy Bernthal, who have undergone minor surgery, and their progress will be closely monitored before the first league match.

Scrum-half Alan Knuckey, who suffered a badly broken arm in the National Trophy game against London Welsh last season, is back in training.

However, lock Dylan Alexander has gone to Oxford University while wing Miles Littlechild and full-back Ian Burgess are planning to go travelling.