Okay is in his second spell at the Stutes

Histon defender Erkan Okay says the club could uncover a hidden gem out of their recent crop of trialists.

The Stutes have less than 11 first-team players on their books but have been putting a series of unattached hopefuls through their paces.

Okay, 25, told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "Manager John Beck has had his eye over the trialists - there was a good 35 to 40 of them.

"Quite a few of them got asked to come back so we're narrowing it down."

Okay has been putting his coaching badges to good use by taking training sessions with the first-team and youngsters.

It is a new opportunity for the local boy as the Stutes look to rebuild a squad torn apart since clinching survival in the Blue Square Premier last season.

"It's a fresh start and a clean slate. Everyone's got a good chance of playing this year," he said.

"We're not going to have a massive squad, probably 16 to 18 players, but at the same time that could be a positive for us because it would keep us together.

"And the youngsters will have to step up to the plate, they know that. But I think they're ready."

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