SLOUGH Town FC joint-boss Jon Underwood has warned players that they must earn their place in the squad for the new season.

The Rebels are expected to begin pre-season with around 21 players, though Underwood and fellow manager Neil Baker will wield the axe this summer.

Speaking to<em> Rebels Radio</em>, Underwood, <em>pictured above</em>, said: “We will certainly go into pre-season training with bigger numbers and there’s every chance that there may be a couple more.

“We’re constantly getting contacted from unknown players asking for trials, but we are not taking anyone on board that hasn’t got any kind of pedigree.

“All of the time we’re hearing about players here and there who maybe aren’t sure they’re going to be first choice next season.

“There are a lot of situations like that we have to consider and keep an open mind on, but we’re happy where we are at the moment.

“There are players from the squad last season who didn’t do themselves justice, and we have spoken to every player individually.

“There are good reasons why we feel some of them weren’t where they needed to be, some very different reasons.

“A lot of players were given the opportunity to come back. Hopefully they’ve gone away and worked hard over the summer, and will come back in pre-season and fight for a place.

“At the moment we’ve got four new players in that squad. We have also got four lads with long-term injuries coming back.

“From where we were in the second half of last season, there are eight new players there, and that’s a big difference.

“There will be players who will find it tough to get in at the start of the season but we’re very honest with players. We’ve told them were we felt they came up short.

“These players have agreed with what we said otherwise they would’ve left I’m sure, so they’re coming back to try and prove a point.

“What we are looking for is a very competitive pre-season, players fighting for places, and lots of competition for places.

“We’ve got eight friendlies so there’s plenty of time for players to stake a claim, and there is still an opportunity that one or two more might come into the mix as we approach pre-season.” Slough begin their summer schedule with a trip to Farnborough on July 11 (2pm). and close with a visit to Holloways Park from Wealdstone on August 3 (3pm).

SLOUGH Town FC joint-boss Jon Underwood has warned players that they must earn their place in the squad for the new season.

The Rebels are expected to begin pre-season with around 21 players, though Underwood and fellow manager Neil Baker will wield the axe this summer.

Speaking to<em> Rebels Radio</em>, Underwood, <em>pictured above</em>, said: “We will certainly go into pre-season training with bigger numbers and there’s every chance that there may be a couple more.

“We’re constantly getting contacted from unknown players asking for trials, but we are not taking anyone on board that hasn’t got any kind of pedigree.

“All of the time we’re hearing about players here and there who maybe aren’t sure they’re going to be first choice next season.

“There are a lot of situations like that we have to consider and keep an open mind on, but we’re happy where we are at the moment.

“There are players from the squad last season who didn’t do themselves justice, and we have spoken to every player individually.

“There are good reasons why we feel some of them weren’t where they needed to be, some very different reasons.

“A lot of players were given the opportunity to come back. Hopefully they’ve gone away and worked hard over the summer, and will come back in pre-season and fight for a place.

“At the moment we’ve got four new players in that squad. We have also got four lads with long-term injuries coming back.

“From where we were in the second half of last season, there are eight new players there, and that’s a big difference.

“There will be players who will find it tough to get in at the start of the season but we’re very honest with players. We’ve told them were we felt they came up short.

“These players have agreed with what we said otherwise they would’ve left I’m sure, so they’re coming back to try and prove a point.

“What we are looking for is a very competitive pre-season, players fighting for places, and lots of competition for places.

“We’ve got eight friendlies so there’s plenty of time for players to stake a claim, and there is still an opportunity that one or two more might come into the mix as we approach pre-season.” Slough begin their summer schedule with a trip to Farnborough on July 11 (2pm). and close with a visit to Holloways Park from Wealdstone on August 3 (3pm).

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