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Ashford United manager Tommy Warrilow makes three new signings

Ashford manager Tommy Warrilow has completed a trio of new signings - and a fourth could be on the way.

Goalkeeper Jacob Russell and midfielder Lanre Azeez are on board, along with forward Fyn Rutherford, who arrives on dual-registration from National South club Tonbridge.

Luke Burdon scores against Charlton Picture: Ian Scammell
Luke Burdon scores against Charlton Picture: Ian Scammell

Nuts & Bolts boss Warrilow is also looking to bring a midfield player across from France.

With 20 players in the squad, it could mean letting a couple go before the Isthmian South East opener at Burgess Hill on August 13.

“We’ve got three in,” said Warrilow. “Jacob Russell was with Ramsgate last year, he became available and we’ve brought him in for competition for Jordan Carey.

“Lanre’s one who was at Ashford before and he’s been at Hastings.

“He went to Herne Bay for pre-season but it’s not worked out there.

“I know the boy and I spoke to him before he went to Herne Bay.

“He wanted to try his luck there, which is fair enough, but once we knew he was available, we acted.

“Fyn’s away for 10 days now, which is a shame, but he’s a decent player who plays in those pockets. He came down on Saturday and signed the forms and is a really good lad.

Action from Ashford's 3-1 friendly defeat by Charlton's academy Picture: Ian Scammell
Action from Ashford's 3-1 friendly defeat by Charlton's academy Picture: Ian Scammell

“It’s a dual-reg thing with Tonbridge. I’d like to keep him with us but if Jay (Saunders, Angels boss) needs him, he’s their player.

“There’s a lad in France we’re trying to sort out, too, so hopefully we get that over the line.

“Looking at the squad, I’m at 20, so I might have to let one or two go. I don’t like having people in the stands, to be honest.”

Ashford lost 3-1 to Charlton’s academy on Tuesday night, Luke Burdon with the goal.

It’s been a slow pre-season for the Nuts & Bolts, with goals generally hard to come by, but Warrilow is confident his side will be ready.

“The boys up front are all capable of scoring goals,” said Warrilow, who takes his side to Folkestone on Sunday for their final friendly.

“I spoke to one of them on Saturday and said, ‘stop panicking, if you’re going to start dumping pressure on yourself in pre-season, it’s going to be a long season’.

Summer signing Michael Uwezu in action for Ashford on Tuesday night Picture: Ian Scammell
Summer signing Michael Uwezu in action for Ashford on Tuesday night Picture: Ian Scammell

“Everyone’s got to calm down, we know what’s right and what isn’t right, and we’ve got to make sure we address things before August 13.

“I’d rather it be like this now than when the season starts. That’s what pre-season is all about, you get rid of the cobwebs and get some shape.

“We’ve had players out, we’ve had loads of trialists, we’ve played two different teams in two halves, so it’s never going to fluent when it’s like that.

“We want to get to Folkestone on Sunday and be as strong as we can and then the following week we can get on with the season.

“You can’t read too much into pre-season.

“You could have the worst pre-season and make a flying start or you could have a great pre-season and fall flat because you’ve got carried away.

“The most important thing is always not to panic because it’s a long old season.”

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