AT least two more players are expected through the Barrow AFC door in the next few days as Paul Cox adds to his squad ahead of pre-season training starting on Friday.

The Bluebirds brought in a trio of recruits last week – midfielders Asa Hall and Bedsente Gomis, and full-back Dan Jones – to add to previous signings Jordan White and Bradley Bauress.

They have lost the likes of Jordan Williams (to Rochdale), Ross Hannah and Paul Turnbull (both to Chester) during the close-season, but Cox is looking to add more depth, with a mixture of those experienced in either the Football League or National League – as with last week's trio – and those from lower down the divisions.

“With the scope of the players we have looked at, experience of League Two and this league is key,” said Cox. “Experience of non-league is key as well.

“You can take a footballer who has played 200 league games, but doesn't have a club what this league is all about. Experience of this level is important.”

He added: “I think there will be a mix of that and of players from lower down still to come.

“I think the squad is important this year, more so than last year. Last year, we put together, when you looked at it on paper, in pre-season, and through the year, a good 13 or 14.

“I want competition. I've asked the chairman for a squad of 22 that has a real competitive edge to it. We'll have players in can play in different positions and we will have competition in each position.

“I thought that was what we lacked, especially after Christmastime last year – that situation where any individual in the 11 can't afford to have an off-day. If they do, there is somebody, that little bit of quality sat on the bench, or even in the stands, that can take you place at any time.

“Whether that lad has played in the Football League for hundreds of games, whether the lad has played and is experienced at Conference level, or whether it's a Moussa (Diarra), a Richie Bennett, a Jordan Williams, who has an unbelievable desire to progress and is really hungry to be competitive and to play a lot of competitive games this year.

“The psychology of the squad is that I want to mould them over pre-season into what the unit will be, then it is time for the boys to battle it out themselves.

“The players we are looking at now will all be a mix. Don't get me wrong, we might be unlucky with some – and we have been very unlucky with some of the signings we have tried to make.”