Esher have snapped up former England U21 star Jonny Hylton from National One rivals Newbury.

Hylton, 28, has played top-level rugby for Wasps and Worcester and can play either at full-back or wing.

Now, director of rugby Mike Schmid hopes Hylton can play a key role in Esher’s bid to claim a place in the Championship.

“Jonny is a fantastic attacking player with exceptional speed,” he said.

“He has great experience and will be a great addition to our back three.”

The capture of Hylton is a huge boost following the news that points machine Neil Hallett could be out for five months.

Hallett, 29, will undergo knee surgery next week and Schmid fears he is unlikely to feature much before Christmas.

Schmid said: “Neil has a hole in his cartilage and needs a screw inserted.

“He is our top points scorer and has been a rock at full-back for a number of years so we are going to miss him.

“He is a calming influence at the back.

“It’s tough to lose any player, but you just have to hope other boys step in.

“We just have to get on with things and it gives Sam Ulph an opportunity to show what he can do and I expect him and Jonny Hylton to be competing for that position.”

Schmid, also boosted by the return of winger Richard Briggs, after several months travelling, hopes to bring in three or four quality signings ahead of the season opener with Manchester on September 5.

But he will be without lock James Inglis for the start of the campaign after he underwent back surgery on Tuesday.

“He had a bulging disc and potentially he could be out for three months,” said Schmid.

“It’s a blow but at least we know now and have time to prepare accordingly.”

Schmid has boosted his second-row options with the arrival of 6ft 7in lock Rod Turner, 22, from Ealing.

“Rod has good hands and a good engine and has looked good in training,” he said.

“He was in Leeds’ academy so we expect to see good things from him this season.”

Esher have also signed loan deals for several Harlequins players next season plus Wasps hooker Tom Lindsay.

Quins centre Seb Jewell, who had a superb season in Esher’s midfield last season, is expected to be available for much of the campaign.

England U20 star George Lowe is also registered, but could be pushing for a place in the senior Quins 22.

Schmid said: “The squad is shaping up nicely, but we need a few more quality players and we are working on that.

“I would say we are about 85 per cent there, but we hope to complete a couple more signings in the next week or so.”