Matlock trim squad further

Charlie Dawes, Jake Phillips, Jack Brownell and Jerry Nash, who has since joined AFC Mansfield, have all departed.

They follow loanees Dan Vann and Luke Rawson out of the exit door, after the pair returned to parent clubs Walsall and Chesterfield respectively last week.

Frecklington told the club’s official website: “We needed to trim the squad, there’s far too many at present. You can only pick sixteen on a match day. Too many were sat in the stands and that’s unfair on the players more than anything as they need to be playing.

“We’ll be looking at a squad of around eighteen players, so there’ll be more going out than coming in. I hope to have one new addition in time for Saturday, maybe two but some will be going.

“The season starts now, Monday being our first official day with the club. I believe Stalybridge and Grantham to be winnable games and the aim is to establish a structure in the side with the necessary guidance from us so that we can start climbing the league quickly.

“We need to be looking for some clean sheets, then we can sort the other end out. If you can keep the back door shut, you’re always likely to have some chances at the other end. It’s important that confidence is restored both within the team and throughout the club.”

A bye in the Integro League Cup has given Frecklington some extra time on the training ground with his troops this week, ahead of Saturday’s game at Stalybridge Celtic.

Injured quartet Adam Yates, Michael Williams, Jordan Chapell and Shaun Harrad are all unlikely to return in time for this weekend.