ROCKS REVIEW: Rocks looking to add experience as they return to preseason

The Nyewood Lane side are looking to bolster the squad with a couple of players which could well shape the ambitions of their season – even another star of Jason Prior quality.

With the majority of last year’s squad having already committed to staying on to give the top-flight of the Ryman League a shot, Rocks are still sweating on some key players from their play-off winning side.

Strikers Ashley Robinson and Steve Harper are undecided on their futures, while they must also wait to see if Ben Johnson and Harvey White will remain Rocks’ players next year after their impressive seasons.

Joint boss Jamie Howell has admitted it would be nice to bring in the services of another couple of experienced players which could, as they have seen with Jason Prior and Terry Dodd, give them an extra edge and boost their ambitions.

But they are in no rush to do so, what with uncertainty over some of the current squad, they could be forced to wait until the very back end of their pre-season campaign before they make any new signings.

Howell said: “We need a couple of extra players to bring in some fresh faces and impetus.

“We always said if we can keep the players we’ve got and add a couple it could give us an five extra places or so at the end of the season, whether that is staying out of the relegation places or further up the table.

“We have seen that the last couple of years with Jason Prior, Terry Dodd and others that take you from chasing a play-off place to being promoted.”

Rocks return for a light start to pre-season on Friday and for the Nyewood Lane bosses it doesn’t feel like they have really stopped.

Howell continued: “We go back Friday and the season has come around very quickly for us. The majority of the boys from last season will be staying but we’re still waiting on a few – Ashley Robinson and Harvey White are two. Hopefully they will all come back to us but if not then we will have to find replacements.

“It’s good to have things sorted and know what you have, but sometimes you just have to wait – it’s a good thing though, to have the good nucleus of a team and most of the boys from last season.

“The frustrating thing for Dabba (Darin Killpartrick) and me is we think with a good start we’ll do okay in the prem, but we aren’t a million miles away.

“Most do want to stay though, Ben Johnson is one we must wait on. It would be great to get an extra two players we need, but we are looking for experience and ones available are difficult and not weighing up their options, and difficult to find.

“We must be patient and see who comes available at the back end of pre-season.”