Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says he is valuing the impact of the increased number of experienced players in his squad.

The Grecians added free-agent winger Mustapha Carayol to their ranks on a short-term deal last month.

Caldwell also signed Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis, 34, in the summer while Ryan Woods, 30, made his loan deal permanent.

The three have played more than 1,300 games between them.

Winger Carayol, 36, has featured in Exeter’s last three League One matches as a substitute as he gets match fit having left Burton Albion last summer.

“He’s bringing a bit of experience, he’s someone that we can bring on the pitch to either win us the game or see us through the game, but he has been a great character on the training pitch,” Caldwell said of the former Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town player who counts City as his 16th professional club.

“I think this season that’s been a big step forward, the experience we do have in the team.

“Obviously Muzz, but Josh Magennis we’ve brought in, Woodsy come back on a permanent basis, we’ve obviously got Pierce Sweeney the captain.

“So the experience within the group is better and that’s really important when you have so many younger players like we do.

“I feel like the balance is better this year, that’s helping us in these difficult moments.”