Lovell plays the waiting game - EXCLUSIVE

The former Sittingbourne boss revealed EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he was in negotiations with six players tonight.

But he didn’t want to reveal their identities because the players in question have not signed on the dotted line.

“Once I’ve signed them, I’ll tell everybody what’s gone on,” said Lovell.

“I’ve been talking to them and just waiting (to hear their answers).

“There’s a lot of talking and negotiating to get the legalities sorted out.

“I’m trying to get new players to the football club and hopefully in the next week or so we’ll have some new players.”

The Welshman revealed that two of his current squad are pondering their futures with the Kent club.

He said: “I don’t need to release anybody, there’s still one or two players from last year’s squad that I haven’t signed.

“I’ve offered deals to (them) but they haven’t signed yet so I’m just covering myself really. If they don’t sign then I’ve got people to come in.”

A lot is expected of Ashford Town next season, and Lovell agrees.

He said: “A lot is expected as it should be so it’s important that I do the important work between now and the start of the season, not only with an important pre-season, in signing the right players.

“I think in the last eleven or twelve games we only lost one so we finished the last eight games unbeaten and not just that, it’s the way that we played and controlled games and really the season came four games too early for us.

“The majority of the boys have signed for next year. The additions, perhaps four or five players that I’m going to bring to the club will only strengthen what we had before.”

Lovell revealed that he’s pencilled in home pre-season friendlies against Dover Athletic (26^th July); Welling United (29^th July) and Ashford Town Middlesex (2^nd August).

“I know I’ve got a few other games away from home but I’m not sure of the dates,” said Lovell.

“I’m hoping to get one more home game against a League club, or hopefully a Conference team for the week before the season starts.”

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk