Steven King believes Dwain Clarke has returned to Lewes as a better player.

Winger Clarke is back at the Dripping Pan after a spell with Conference National side Aldershot.

The 26-year-old signed a one-year contract over the weekend after declining a chance to go full-time with the Shots.

There were other offers on the table for Clarke, who had a trial at Sheffield United while with Lewes, but King persuaded him to return. King said: "Dwain got married on Saturday and I believe he is coming back as a more mature person and a more mature player.

"I believe he is one of the best left wingers in non-league football.

"He did well at Aldershot and could have gone full-time but couldn't do so because of his job.

"There were other full-time offers and lots of Conference south sides wanted him but he chose to come back to us."

King was forced to axe Clarke last November due to budget cuts, which also saw him lose Ade Bankole and Warren Haughton.

He believes Clarke has improved his game at Aldershot and is delighted to get him back.

"He has learnt a lot in six months at Aldershot, he knows what it takes to compete at that level and he wants to go back there with us," said King.

"It will be like a fresh challenge for him as there are a lot of new faces here now."

Meanwhile, King has handed contracts to youth team players Clive Snell and Steve Elliott.

He said: "I watched them last year and identified them as two of our better young players.

"I met them and their families and we decided to put them on contract."