FORMER Wolves trainee Chris Cornes has joined Malvern Town as manager Martin Stephens looks for his side to bounce back from two heavy defeats.

The Langland Stadium side are bottom of the Midland Alliance on goal difference after crashing to 5-0 and 3-0 defeats to Boldmere St Michaels and Highgate United respectively.

This has prompted Stephens to dip into the transfer market for a triple swoop including former Worcester City forward Cornes.

The 23-year-old former Port Vale loanee, handed a six-month playing ban in 2006 after testing positive for cocaine, joins a club that is yet to score a league goal so far this season.

He made his debut in Malvern’s 3-0 home defeat to Highgate United on Tuesday night alongside fellow new signings, striker Troy Wood, who rejoins the club from Westfields, and midfielder Lee Tomkins, who joins from Redditch United.

But striker Dave Burtoft has left the club in a shake-up of Malvern’s forward line.

Now, Stephens’ new boys make their FA Cup debuts for the club when they travel to Oadby Town tomorrow (ko 3pm) in the prelimiary round. There is a cash incentive for Malvern to progress from this stage as winning clubs receive £1,500 each. If the tie goes to a replay, Malvern’s home league clash with Causeway United on Monday (ko 3pm) will be postponed and replaced with another game against Oadby on Tuesday night at the Langland Stadium.

Stephens said: “The three we have brought in so far are quality signings.

“Tomkins will give us energy in the middle of the park. The other two players will hopefully create and score more goals for us.

“I’m trying to put together a side that can compete in this league. I need to bring a few more in, maybe five more players.

“The FA Cup game is a good distraction for us. The Oadby game is important for Malvern.”