CROSS Keys have been boosted by a raft of the current squad committing to life at Pandy Park next season -including talisman hooker Lloyd Burns.

Keys has secured the services of 23 first-teamers but it is the signature of the powerful front-row forward, who arrived from Pontypool last summer, that stands out.

Burns has caught the eye of a host of Premiership clubs with his strong running and hard work at the breakdown, as well as 11 tries, but he has opted to stay with Keys.

Newport Gwent Dragons will also pay part of his contract after being impressed by what they have seen and he will be involved in training with the region.

"The signing of Lloyd is massive," admitted Keys forwards coach Greg Woods. "I think he could have picked any club in the Premiership and I'll admit I was concerned with Pontypool coming up, because he is a Pooler boy.

"But he was true to his word -we offered him rugby this season so he has signed to stay on for next year and it's a huge boost.

"He has the power, the ball-carrying ability and he is tough, so I think he has everything there to go on to become a top professional and I'm sure he will be putting pressure on the Dragons' other hookers."

And Burns will have a new target in the line-out after Keys snapped up former Bristol academy lock David King, an imposing figure at 6ft 4in and 19 stone.

The 22-year-old finishes his studies at Bristol University this year and is crossing over the Severn to start a software company.

"We have watched some DVDs of him and he has been down to the club and he looks a good prospect and a big lump!" said Woods.

"He is something different to what we currently have and we will wait and see how he comes along. He wants to play first-team rugby and he will be competing with Ben Watkins, Ashley Sweet and Mark Curtis for action, which should drive them all on."

King will be the second non-Wales qualified player at the club, joining Fijian flanker Sitaveni Rabuli in the ranks.

The club are still chasing a number of targets with a hooker and centres high on the wanted list.

Meanwhile plans have been submitted for new terracing on the mountain side of Pandy Park and it is expected to be completed by the end of August.