ALDERSHOT Town have re-signed midfielder James Rowe on a one-year contract. The 26-year-old made 43 appearances for the Shots last season and has featured in all three pre-season friendlies during July, scoring with a superb 25-yard strike in the 1-1 draw against Wealdstone on Saturday.

Rowe began his career in the Southampton and Reading academies and had loan spells at Oxford City, Basingstoke and Lewes before signing for Forest Green in August 2011. Two seasons at The New Lawn brought almost 50 appearances for Rowe and, on his release in 2013, he was signed by League One Tranmere Rovers, making 36 appearances. He then joined Cheltenham Town and was part of the Robins’ side which won the National League title in 2015-16, going on to play 38 games in League Two in 2016-17.

“I spoke to the gaffer over the summer and we came to a mutual decision that I’d like to come back to the club,” said Rowe. “We spoke about having unfinished business and how we want to get the club back to where it belongs, in the Football League, so that’s our aim. The way the gaffer likes to play suits me down to a tee, so there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”Aldershot have also recruited Ipswich defender Chris Smith on a youth loan until December 29. The 20-year-old joined his home town side in 2006 and progressed through the Tractorboys’ academy to make his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace in August 2017, alongside George Fowler and Adam McDonnell.He then joined National League South side Chelmsford on loan in September 2017 and made 31 appearances across two spells either side of a brief return to Portman Road in January.

• Aldershot earlier signed 21-year-old Birmingham City defender Dominic Bernard on a six-month loan deal. Bernard was coached by Shots’ assistant manager James Rowe at St Andrews and signed a new professional contract with City in February, 2018. He has captained the Blues’ Development squad and also played for the Republic of Ireland U18 side alongside Shots midfielder Adam McDonnell.

• Aldershot’s Hampshire derby against Havant & Waterlooville has been moved to Wednesday, September 5 (ko 7.45pm) and will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4K UHD.

Originally scheduled for Tuesday, September 4 at West Leigh Park, the match is one of three to be chosen for broadcast in late August and early September.

The two other games are AFC Fylde versus Harrogate on Monday, August 27 (5.15pm) and Gateshead’s long trip to Kent to face Ebbsfleet on Saturday, September 8 (5.15pm).