‘Definitely needs strengthening’ - Kevin Wilkin outlines AFC Telford’s top transfer priority

Kevin Wilkin has made adding attacking quality his top priority as AFC Telford United continue their summer recruitment drive.

Telford are looking to replace the goals and creativity lost following the departures of Dylan Allen-Hadley and Adan George.

Bucks boss Wilkin admits those exits have left gaps across the pitch, but strengthening his attacking options is at the top of his wish list as he prepares for the new National League North season.

“Clearly we’ve lost some good offensive players in Adan and Dylan, Ammar (Dyer) being a full-back, Khanya (Leshabela) obviously a midfielder,” Wilkin told the Shropshire Star.

“We’ve lost across the field, but certainly, I guess you look across the front line, that's something that definitely needs strengthening.”

Wilkin confirmed talks have been held over potentially bringing transfer-listed Shrewsbury Town forward Ricardo Dinanga back to the club this summer.

Telford have strengthened elsewhere this summer, bringing in Matt Curley from National League side Tamworth and Zak Lilly from Brackley Town. They have also secured several key retentions, including fan-favourite defender Oliver Cawthorne.

The Bucks face Football League sides Crewe Alexandra and Walsall in pre-season friendlies this week.

But while preparations for the new campaign continue to gather pace, the recruitment work goes on behind the scenes.

Trialists have featured in training and pre-season matches, with Wilkin saying the club will continue to assess its options before making further additions.

“You don't stop from the moment the season starts to taper and finish.

“Thereafter, you’re constantly on the phone and that’s pretty much a relentless situation throughout the course of the summer. So yeah, it doesn’t let up.

“As you can see, I think we're around 13, 14 deep in the squad at the moment. Clearly, we need to make some more signings.

“We’re had a decent group in with us through pre-season who have all deserved the chance to play in some friendly games.

“Whether any are actually good enough, obviously, we’re starting to find out and learn more and more about them the more you work with them. But certainly none of them have been session wreckers or anything like that.

“They’ve applied themselves in a good way and deserve a chance.

“From here on in, we’ll start to whittle things down and be as picky as we can be about who we bring into the group.”

Telford’s league campaign begins on Saturday, August 8, with a trip to Brackley Town. By then, Wilkin hopes to have further additions through the door and settled into the squad.

Reflecting on the club’s summer business so far, the Bucks boss said: “I’m delighted with the players that we've brought in.

“The two prominent ones obviously being Matt and Zak, and lots of boys retained from last season too.

“Equally, we've lost some really, really good players. So I suppose, as you would find, it’s always a little bit of a mixed bag.

“Albeit it’s probably more mixed than probably would be ideal with some really good players that have departed us to full-time football.

“While it is a disappointment, you have to be kind of a little bit pleased for those guys or fairly pleased for the guys that have progressed and are able to go and play at full-time clubs.”