Two new signings will arrive to bolster Yeovil Town’s squad ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend double header, according to manager Chris Hargreaves.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s visit from Dagenham & Redbridge and Monday’s trip to Wealdstone, the boss said that he had the backing of chairman Scott Priestnall with finances following the exit of star man Tom Knowles on the eve of the season.
Asked about the support he was receiving by BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, Hargreaves said: “Hopefully there will be two (new signings) announced for the weekend.
“It’s something we want to do, we need to bolster the squad, Scott (Priestnall) has been supportive with that so that’s positive.
“Whoever we bring in has to believe they can affect this club and there will be a couple announced before the weekend.”
One player who the Glovers are expecting back for the visit of Dagenham & Redbridge is central defender Ben Richards-Everton who has missed the past three matches through injury.
The former Barnet player suffered a knee injury in the opening day defeat at Scunthorpe United which Hargreaves revealed recently was not as bad as originally feared and he will be back for the upcoming two matches.
The boss is also hoping on loan Bristol City winger Sam Pearson, who the club announced this week has extended his stay until January, will be fit after missing last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Altrincham with a back injury.
He said: “We’re not sure if it’s going to be Saturday, Monday or either. He took a serious knock (against Barnet) and it’s going to be right down to the wire if he makes it for Saturday.
“Sam has been a bright spark and the fans have taken to him straight away. Unfortunately he’s had a bit of a niggle which has kept him out of Saturday’s game, so we are hopeful he can make this Saturday.
“It’s been a bit frustrating. The first week we lost Knowlesy, big Ben (Richards-Everton) got injured and the third week Sam (Pearson) was not available, but you’ve got to adapt and rotate players and get over it.
“Fingers crossed Sam is fit but if he isn’t it gives someone else a chance.”
The boss said young Exeter City defender Alfie Pond was “in the thinking” for last weekend and would be again in the upcoming fixtures.
He added: “Like every team we have these fixtures over the weekend which are incredibly tight, it’s probably too much at this level to play that amount of games in quick succession.
“I have got to use the whole squad because the boys are are chomping at the bit to get minutes and we don’t want to overload it with lads on loan, but the boys that have come in have been excellent.
“Some of them are young lads, they have to find their feet somewhere but they have got to earn it and train well in this first team because it’s a tough standard.
“I have already got in mind what we might have to do with such a quick turnaround but it’s about the lads showing me they want to do it.”
There is no sign of former striker Marcus Stewart making his Head of Player Development role at Huish Park full-time at the moment.
The ex-Ipswich Town man, who scored more than 250 goals in his playing career, became part of the Huish Park coaching team alongside Hargreaves and assistant manager Chris Todd on a part-time basis, and has been absent from the touchline for a number of matches.
Asked whether he expected Stewart to make his role full-time, the manager said: “Not at the moment. It will remain as it is at this stage.
“He adds a lot of value and when you look at the strikers, Fish (Alex Fisher) is desperate to score and working hard, but we want him to work within that 18 yard box and be that talisman.
“Gime (Toure) has scored already, Mal (Linton) has two in four, so there has been that attacking mindset and a lot of the lads have had chances to score.”
Young goalkeeper Max Evans will be out for “a couple of months” after suffering an injury whilst on loan at Southern League side Larkhall Athletic.
It has been feared the 20-year-old had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury after he was spotted on crutches at Huish Park.
Hargreaves said: “It’s not brilliant news for the lad, it will keep him out for a couple of months, for sure, but it could have been a lot worth.
“I’m gutted for him to get that so early on (in his loan spell) because he’s a fantastic individual.”
He said reports back from Truro City boss and former Glovers’ midfielder Paul Wotton around defender Ollie Haste and midfielder Toby Stephens who are both on loan at the Cornish outfit.
Stephens has been missing with “a little injury” but made his first appearance as an 80th minute substitute for the White Tigers last weekend, whilst Haste has been a regular fixture in the side.