Paul Simpson is on the trail of several targets as he continues to work on further bolstering his Shrewsbury Town squad.
Pleased to have completed his first two signings of the summer having swooped for experienced Paul Murray, 31, from troubled Gretna and promising Carlisle midfielder Stephen Hindmarch, 19, Simpson insists there are more new faces on the way.
He’s not putting a timescale on when he expects to enter the transfer market again but he’s identified several players he wants to bring in.
“There are many talks going on, many conversations between myself and agents,” said Simpson. “We’re up to 23 players now but in my opinion the squad still needs strengthening and we all want a squad that’s going to be able to compete.”
Simpson was delighted to have won the race to land Murray, who has made more than 300 career appearances, as the combative player brings with him an impressive pedigree as a former England B international who once cost QPR £300,000.
“There were other clubs interested but what enticed Paul was coming here and seeing the ground,” said Simpson. “The first call I put in to him, he didn’t feel he wanted to play at League Two level because he knew there was interest from higher up.”
Simpson added there would be plenty of competition when the players report back for pre-season training early in July to try and ensure they are among the 20-man squad heading to Almeria in Spain for a four-day training camp on July 12.
“There are players I would be prepared to let go if I felt it was going to improve the squad,” he said. “But I want everyone to come in and give it their best shot in pre-season and do their best to get on our trip to Spain.”
Simpson revealed there would be no addition to the club’s five pre-season matches which include showpiece home clashes against Premier League new boys West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City.
Meanwhile Jimmy Ryan, the young midfielder released by Simpson at the end of last season, is currently starring for Republic of Ireland under-21s at the Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia, holding down a regular spot in midfield under Irish manager Don Givens.
Ryan is currently searching for a new club but Colin Murdock, the experienced defender also allowed to move on by Simpson, need look no more having signed a one-year deal with Town’s League Two rivals Accrington Stanley.
Former Town midfielder Jamie Tolley is among the hundreds of footballers seeking a new club after being given a free transfer by Macclesfield.
