Lee Hodges not worried by lack of new signings

Source: Truro People and West Briton, by Rhod Mitchell link HERE

TRURO City boss Lee Hodges says he is not concerned that he has yet to strengthen his squad ahead of their first season in Blue Square Bet South, which will begin with a long trip to play Chelmsford City on Saturday August 13.

Hodges is still hoping to bring in two or three new faces for the new season but as yet has not completed any deals.

He said: "I am not worried at all. It is very quiet at the moment but I will be watching a few games to look at players and see whether to sign them or bring them in on loan."

However, he has brought talented Cornish youngsters Cody Cooke and Kieran Conibear-Trathen into the first team squad bringing the numbers up to 19.

City, who have retained all of last season's Southern League premier division winning squad apart from Alex Jeannin, returned to training last week and play their first friendly at Falmouth Town on Tuesday with the Aubrey Wilkes Cup at stake.

They had been due to play away to the Royal Marines at Lympstone on Saturday, but the game was cancelled because the Marines had problems fielding a side.

City also have games against League One Yeovil Town, Premier League newcomers QPR (reserves) and League Two Torquay United as they look to hit the ground running when the season starts next month, with six games in 16 days before the end of August.

After that 665 mile round trip to Essex to play Chelmsford City, the White Tigers' first taste of home action will be against Hampshire side Eastleigh on Tuesday August 16.

They are then at home to Dover Athletic on the 20th, before a midweek trip to Salisbury City and a visit to Havant and Waterlooville before ending a hectic August at home to Dorchester Town on Bank Holiday Monday. It is a tough start and manager Hodges will want to ensure his squad are ready come the big kick-off.

Training had gone well, he said, with all the players in good condition when they reported back last week.

"I was very pleased," he said.

"Everyone was up for it and raring to go."

Arran Pugh and Danny Clay missed the opening session because they were returning from holiday but were at Tuesday night's session.

Martin Watts is still injured, while veteran Barry Hayles was excused training, but is expected to be involved at Falmouth, when Hodges intends to give as many players as possible a run out.

"We want to have a good pre-season and just ease the players into it.
"I am not worried about results It is just a case of getting back into the swing of things.

"It is a chance to try out a few different combinations."

Falmouth should provide good opposition having strengthened their squad with several players including former Conference South striker Ian Hodges.

Squad: Martin Rice, Tom Brooks, Barry McConnell, Arran Pugh, Steve Adams, Martin Watts (injured), Andy Taylor, Marcus Martin, Danny Clay, Jake Ash, Joe Broad, Dan Smith, Barry Hayles, Andy Watkins, Stewart Yetton, Scott Walker, Les Afful, Cody Cooke and Kieran Conibear-Trathen.