Wilkin will need to bolster squad but strike a balance

Wilkin is more than happy with his squad but, with only 16 players on the books, knows he must bolster it with some loan signings.

In-form Saints entertain newly-promoted Hereford in Saturday’s Vanarama National League North. Hereford have adapted well to life since being promoted and Wilkin expects a tight game between the two sides on Saturday.

Wilkin said: “Hereford are a big club, they’ve started well and have made the adjustment to the next level. They’ve come into this league on the back of a winning campaign in the Southern League, which has kept their momentum going.”

Saints will be without Shepherd Murombedzi who begins a three-match suspension and that has prompted Wilkin to look at loan signings. But Wilkin knows there is a balance to be struck.

He said: “We need to bring some players in with the size of the squad we’ve got. But I’m happy with that squad so it would be loan players I would be looking at.

“It’s a tough one because there are certain players we’ve already tried to bring in who either want to play at a higher level or demand too much money. Rarely did I dip into the loan market last season but we’re going to have to in the next week or so, it’s just a question of finding the right players to bring in.

“We don’t want players sat in the stand clicking their heels which is what happened with a couple of the younger ones we brought in. We’ve got players on the bench who want to be playing but with a squad of only 16 we need to bring some in.”