Boss Tommy Warrilow is eager to boost his midfield options at Ashford.

The Nuts & Bolts return to pre-season training this weekend.

Ashford have added to their options in the middle of the park, bringing in Clark Woodcock from Faversham and Alex Brown from Hythe.

But, with only sidelined Rhyle Ovenden, Adem Ramadan and Josh Wisson staying from last season’s midfield, it’s an area Warrilow is keen to bolster.

“We have to strengthen midfield because we have lost Tommie [Fagg to Tonbridge] and Jarred [Trespaderne to Hythe],” he said.

“Up front, I have got four, fighting for places. We have lost Jay May, which is a shame, but I have never had a pre-season with the likes of Gary Lockyer before.

“Johan Ter Horst had an outstanding pre-season last year so we are hoping that he will come back fit. We still have Rhyle Ovenden.

“He is still out but we are hoping to have him back by Christmas and, in the meantime, our midfield is an area we need to strengthen a bit.”

Warrilow is hoping to make inroads in the near future as he aims to boost his squad.

He explained: “I don’t want players to come to us because ‘That will do’, but people have to realise players have offers and they have to weigh up what’s right for them.

“Sometimes, it does mean dropping down and playing week-in, week-out.”

Despite missing out on promotion to Herne Bay in the play-off final, Warrilow was pleased to see supporters flock to Homelands - and he hopes the people of Ashford will head to the ground again at the start of the new campaign.

He commented: “Ashford is a big club and it’s a big town. Perhaps people are saying it’s too far out the town but, if you are winning, people tend to want to come and watch.

“Last year we were lucky to have the semi-final and final at home.

"On the back of that, hopefully, more people will be coming down this year.”

Having local lads Lockyer, Woodcock, Luke Burdon, Michael Uwezu and defender Charlie Dickens - another summer arrival from Faversham - will do the club’s attendance figures little harm, either.

“That’s just an added bonus,” Warrilow admitted.

“A lot of them are living in Ashford and some started at Ashford. But it’s coincidental, really.

“I’m sure it will not do any harm. Their mates will talk to their other mates and it could go from there.”

Ashford will host Potters Bar in their first friendly next Saturday while the friendly against tenants Kennington a week later is now a 1pm kick-off.

A number of trialists are set to join their squad for the start of pre-season training.