Whild looking at two wide players

Gary Whild is confident the Reds will have a competitive squad

Redditch United manager Gary Whild is taking a look at two wide players as he continues to reshape his squad for the forthcoming Blue Square North season.

Whild told BBC Hereford and Worcester he has to replace Owen Storey and Ryan Beswick, who have both left the club.

"We're looking at a lad called James Cooper who was released by Lincoln City and who is a wide-left player.

"Then there is a right-hand-side player who was released by Birmingham called Jamie Sheldon."

He added: "They are both young lads, both have shown up well so far."

Beswick played a key part in Redditch's survival in the Blue Square North last season when he joined on loan from Leicester City, he has now returned to the Walkers Stadium.

Storey followed Carl Heggs to Kings Lynn when the former Redditch coach opted to take on his first managerial post.

We certainly need to pick up players in the two wide areas

Gary Whild

Whild added: "It is fair enough as they are two Leicester lads and Owen is a good mate of Carl's.

"Obviously Ryan went back to Leicester with the other lad Nathaniel Rowe-Turner so we certainly need to pick up players in the two wide areas."

Heggs and Storey could make a swift return to the Valley Stadium as the Reds will open their pre-season campaign with a match against Kings Lynn on Tuesday 14 July, kick-off 1945 BST.

Whild has not ruled out a further use of the loan system to supplement his squad should the need arise.

"Last year it went well for us," he said. "And it also worked well for us in the past with players such as Scott Dann, who then went on to bigger and better things.

"I think if it is a two-way thing and the lad uses it well then it can be useful for both parties."