Steve Kittrick is lining up two targets for AFC Telford United
AFC Telford United are set to know by Monday who their new centre-back will be after lining up two targets.
Boss Steve Kittrick is ready to pounce on whichever of the un-named Conference Premier stoppers rejects the chance to stay at their current clubs as he bids to fill the gap left by Ian Sharps, who has joined Chester FC.
"We were quite hopeful, but it's like pulling teeth," said Kittrick. "It's just a question of negotiation.
"With the one lad, it all depends on what he gets offered from his current club. If they meet his demands, then he stays where he is – but if not, he's coming to us.
"We're in his hands, but we have someone else waiting in the wings as well. Both have been playing in the Conference Premier.
"It's not a case of who comes up first because they're two very good players .
"If they don't get what they want, they're both looking to move.
"If the first one decides to leave his current club then he has a couple of options on the table and we're one of them. He has to decide over the weekend. We're getting near to the start of pre-season so I'm sure we'll be having another conversation.
"We've got until Thursday, Friday or Saturday next week which is when we start our pre-season training."
Kittrick insists he will be happy with either option.
"They're both experienced in terms of the amount of games they've played so it's a case of seeing which one comes up for us," he said.
"I know who I want and both are good players but we'll have to wait and see."
Kittrick has now made 11 signings this summer and has five players still under contract.
But he revealed he hasn't finished his overhaul of the squad however and is still targeting one more signing before he completes the summer reshaping of his squad after relegation.
"There will be someone else," added the boss. "We're also talking to a winger at the moment who we want to sign."
Centre-back Neill Byrne still has to decide his future after being given time to explore the possibility of returning to the full-time game.
Kittrick is in regular dialogue with the Irishman's agent and is expecting an answer soon.
Byrne is one of the existing players who were with the club in the Conference Premier last season who have pledged their futures to the New Bucks Head for 2015-16, along with Mike Grogan and Adam Farrell.
Telford hope to appoint a scout or scouts by August.
"I want to get all the signings done and then we can look at the scouting," said Kittrick.
