Lancaster may have to turn to youth to bolster squad this season

Lancaster City boss Mark Fell admits he may have to go hunting for young gems to strengthen his squad this season.
Veteran Andy Teague has rejoined Lancaster from Chorley but boss Mark Fell may have to rely on youth to bolster squad for next seasonVeteran Andy Teague has rejoined Lancaster from Chorley but boss Mark Fell may have to rely on youth to bolster squad for next season
Veteran Andy Teague has rejoined Lancaster from Chorley but boss Mark Fell may have to rely on youth to bolster squad for next season

The global coronavirus pandemic has affected most clubs’ budgets, certainly at non-league level, as they prepare for the start of next season. With the Dolly Blues having already begun socially distanced pre-season training and Fell welcomed a number of trialists for him to run the rule over.

Barring a couple of departures, City have managed to strike deals with the majority of last season’s squad, as well as enticing former favourites Andy Teague and Tom Kilifin back to the club.

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Fell is still keen on landing another centre-forward and a central defender. He is also keen to add competition for Sam Ashton in goal. “We are looking at all options,” said Fell.

“There is a chance for players who are coming out of professional clubs. But what I will say is those players coming to us on trial will have to be better, or as good as what we have already got, to get a deal or they are as good but cheaper than what we have already got. I think that’s the world that everybody is living in at the moment.

“We have to tighten our belts, we know that the budgets will be reduced everywhere probably next season whilst clubs recover from the pandemic.

“We will certainly be looking to give opportunities to young players which we think could go and make an impact for us. But they will have to meet criteria and will have to make us better. I haven’t got enough space in my squad just to bring players in to fill gaps – I need players who can make an impact.”

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City have been back in training just under a fortnight and are scheduled for another session this weekend. Fell revealed he has been keen to get the footballs out already, especially as his men have not kicked one in anger since March.

“We have done a lot of high-tempo technical work with the ball,” he said. “We done a lot familiarisation work with a football, bearing in mind they haven’t kicked one since March."