Graham Turner continues to close in on several targets to bolster his Shrewsbury Town squad as he strives to replace departing duo Kelvin Langmead and Terry Dunfield.
Turner was always keen to enter the transfer market again after last week swooping for Rotherham skipper Ian Sharps as his first signing since taking over at the Greenhous Meadow.
But with Langmead set to join Peterborough and Dunfield – whom Turner revealed would be unable to sign for another English club under the terms of his release – also moving on, it’s given the boss extra flexibility to reshape the squad he’s inherited.
“I’m currently talking to several managers about players,” said Turner.
“There are 600 or 700 names on the PFA list so that’s what we’re going through and I’m talking to one or two managers about players who are not on free transfers.
“There are loans as well so we’ll see how that pans out. There are obviously players available on a permanent basis but I will use the loan system and we’ll see how it goes. I think the club used it to good effect last season, particularly with David Button.”
Turner added he was keen to have a nice blend of youth and experience to call upon as he bids to bring in players capable of slotting into the passing style he’s eager to introduce when the players report for pre-season training next Thursday.
“I think you have to have a blend as that helps keep the squad’s wage bill balanced,” he said.
“If you take ready made players with a lot of experience then they are the more expensive ones.
“But I’ve always been keen to give younger players an opportunity, those coming through with David Hughes who have just come into the pro ranks and also those released by bigger clubs.
“I’ve always been prepared to take a chance with one or two of those and occasionally you get a little diamond.”
Langmead, Town’s longest serving player, is on the verge of following former team-mate Dave Hibbert to Peterborough after Shrewsbury agreed a fee with League One Posh for the central defender.
But Turner admitted he was surprised Dunfield saw his future elsewhere, the midfielder feeling he had to move to have a chance of adding to the first Canadian cap he won last month.
“If players don’t want to stay we need replacements,” said Turner.
“I don’t know an awful lot about Kelvin so I don’t know how much of a blow his request to move will be. But there are a lot of players out there and I’ve no doubts we can find an adequate replacement.”
Turner revealed Dunfield would be unable to sign for another English club after Town agreed to release the Vancouver-born player from his contract which had 12 months to run.
“He stressed he wanted to play somewhere else in Europe so one of the conditions is he will not be allowed to sign for a club in England,” said Turner.
“He’ll be released from his contract and the paperwork is in the process of going through. We have to have release forms sent across to him as he’s in Canada and he has to sign them, send them back, and we send them off to the FA.”
Turner, having handed a coaching role to Mike Jackson, said there would probably be an announcement next week over who else will make up his backroom staff.
Meanwhile, chairman Roland Wycherley has hailed Turner’s return which has been reflected in brisk business at the ticket office with season ticket sales nearing 3,000.
“Suddenly, there is a more optimistic feeling about this coming season and this has been reflected already in an upsurge in season ticket sales,” said Wycherley.
“Graham is thought of with affection by those who saw him play as a footballer at this club and then as our manager during our purple period of success in what is now known as the Championship.
“There is a strong desire to develop a strategy for an internal management structure within the club that will fulfil the long term ambition to promote a future manager from within. We are fortunate to have excellent youth coaching already in place and Graham will bring in his own senior team coaches.”
Turner, happy with the welcome he’s received since succeeding Paul Simpson, added: “It’s nice to hear there’s been a good response and that there’s considerable interest. I’ve had a warm welcome from many supporters I’ve come across so it’s a period for me to look forward to. I’m hoping we can rekindle the success we had some time ago – that’s the aim.”
By Stuart Dunn