AFC Telford transfer news: Rob Smith close to bringing in defender
AFC Telford hope to clinch the signing of a defender as Rob Smith prepares to welcome his squad back for pre-season.
The Bucks have 15 players signed up for the 2017/18 campaign, with boss Smith still keen to make further additions, beginning with a defender.
Telford, who check in for training next week, have already secured the additions of Graham Hutchison and Shane Sutton to rival the retained Paul McCone and Ben Bailey in defence.
There are still three of last season’s squad yet to decide on their fate for next term, with full-back Dwayne Samuels and central midfielders Jack Rea and Eddie Jones mulling over deals.
Smith has revealed the Bucks are searching for a goalscorer after struggling to find the net last term.
But a defender is likely to be next through the door at the New Bucks Head as Smith further adds to a backline that conceded the fewest goals in the National League North’s bottom half last season.
Telford remain light in forward areas, with Zak Lilly and Dan Westwood inexperienced in the division, a striker remains on Smith’s hit-list.
The Bucks get their pre-season schedule underway with a trip to local side Haughmond on Saturday, July 8.
Friendlies with Villa and Wolves’ under-23 squad follow the clash at Haughmond, meaning that a raft of Smith’s new signings are likely to get their first run-out in Bucks whites.
Eight new faces, including Hutchison and Sutton, have thus far checked in on a permanent basis.
Jasbir Singh is set to take the Bucks No.1 shirt, while Curtis Strong has arrived at left-back and central midfielder Kieran Dunbar has also penned a deal.
Wingers Chekaine Steele and Luke Shaw have arrived to offer Telford more penetration from wide areas.
Attacker John Marsden, who featured briefly on loan last season, completes the summer recruitment to date.
