Rocks Review: Team may start Ryman premier campaign without new faces

Although the club have targets in mind and hope to bring in a handful of new faces, Howell said the need to strengthen the squad was not acute.

The management have been boosted by news that almost all of last season’s squad will be back at the Lane for an assault on the Ryman premier division.

Strikers Ashley Robinson and Steve Harper appear the only two whose future is in doubt. Robinson has trials with teams higher up the ladder, while Harper may stay with the Rocks despite the long distance between Bognor and his home in Tonbridge, Kent.

Howell (right) said little was moving.

“We’ve spoken to a couple of people but nothing’s come off yet. In many ways, we didn’t expect much by this stage.

“Players are only now starting to think about where they’ll be next season and it could be that we don’t sign anyone until at least the back end of pre-season.

“If we were to start the new season without signing anyone, I wouldn’t be too worried with the squad we do have - I wouldn’t be panicking.

“But we do want to freshen things up with some new lads. It’s always good to do that.”

The Rocks are back in training on Friday of next week – June 29 – and will train three times a week until the programme of friendlies kicks in, starting with a visit to Sussex League top-flight side Selsey on Monday, July 16.

One pre-season game has had its date changed – the Rocks will visit Godalming, the side they beat in the play-off semi-final, on the evening of Friday, August 3, instead of the next day.