SLOUGH Town joint-manager Jon Underwood has hinted at a number of summer signings as he and Neil Baker set out to deliver on their ambition of a top-half finish next season.

The Rebels finished 17th in the Southern Premier Division this season, and with a threadbare squad supported by youngsters and dual-registered players.

The club will move into a brand new stadium, part of the Community Sports Facility at Arbour Park, in August, which will increase expectation on the team.

Underwood knows that Slough must improve on their league position and is targeting key signings to add experience and technical ability to the squad.

“We’ve had individual meetings with all the players to discuss the season and know where everyone stands, and we have already spoken with potential new recruits,” Underwood told the Observer.

“There are a number of players we want to bring in because we want to start pre-season with 20 as a minimum number, and there are signs of potential player movement in the other direction as well.

"We have got a good core but it needs developing to compete where we want to be, in the top-half of the table and looking towards the play-offs.

“We have targeted a list of key players that we want to go for and we are working towards that, but it’s a long process and it is very early days.

“We don’t want to start talking names at this stage because it’s an open season and you never get all the players you want to go for, or the ones you want to keep.

“We’ve had real positive conversations and got a verbal commitment from some to come on board, but players don’t always tell you everything and they might have had similar talks with other managers.”

He added: “The new ground is a real bonus for us to go after players as it’s no longer just being talked about. We can share plans and timescales and it’s an attraction to the players. There is a brand new state-of-the-art pitch for them to play on.

“We’ve got a young side, the core is around 25-years-old, and the basis of a good team, so we need to add experience to that. Not washed-up players who want one last pay day but people that want a challenge for the right reasons.

“We believe we know what we need to be successful in this league and, with the extra dimension of a different surface, we know how we want to play.

“You absolutely need players that are technically stronger than what we’ve had at times. It’s a surface that enables you to play and pass in matches of a high tempo so you need athletic, mobile and hungry players with a sprinkle of experience.”

Commenting on the ambition, Underwood said: “There will be increased expectation from the supporters, the chairman, and myself and Neil – who mentioned that we don’t expect to be in a job next season if we do not improve. That sounds strange but it’s true, we can’t come 17th again next season.

“We’re more ambitious than that so there is pressure to deliver next season, but we want that at the club, and we back ourselves to be successful.”