Lennie Lawrence has praised the club's board of directors following today's signing of Jo Kuffour.

The director of football has admitted that bringing players to the Memorial Stadium over the summer and early season has not been cheap, pointing to salaries as well as considerable transfer fees.

Lennie has described the backing received from chairman Nick Higgs and his board members as "heartening", and says it's good for everyone connected with Bristol Rovers.

"Even though we faded away at the end of last season the board have continued to be very supportive," Lennie told bristolrovers.co.uk.

"Both in terms of transfer fees and the wages the players have commanded, it's made our wage budget very competitive for this league, and we couldn't have asked for more backing.

"It's heartening for myself and Trolls, and for the players in the squad, that we've received that level of support. Now we've got to make sure we're equally competitive on the field, and repay the backing the board have given us with performances and results on the pitch.

"In some ways it puts the pressure on us - the board have backed us and they will be thinking it, even if they don't say it, that we now need to deliver. Their commitment financially has got to be matched by our commitment on the pitch."

The arrival of Kuffour bolsters an already impressive strikeforce at the club.

"Jo is another player we've had our eye on for some time, and someone who's done well against us in recent games," said Lennie, "It's been a month long pursuit to bring him here, and Bournemouth's financial situation delayed it more than we would have liked.

"But we're delighted to have him here now, he's someone that adds to the squad and brings some real quality to what we've already got."

Lennie says that with Kuffour now tied up, Rovers will have a very strong and competitive squad all over the park once a couple of ongoing injury situations clear up.

"We're a little bit stretched at the back, but with Danny Coles not far away and Joe Jacobson not far behind him, when those two come back we'll be competitive all over the park," he said.

"Centre halves and centre backs - that's where you need your extra players. We're competitive in terms of numbers and quality, and with the new additions we've brought in, when everyone is fit, we'll be ultra competitive throughout the squad."