Dearden Targets Magnificent Seven

Last updated : 26 May 2003 By
Billy Dearden
Signing a player will be a new experience for Dearden, who has been unable to sign a single player on a permanent contract at Meadow Lane since arriving in January 2002 from Mansfield Town.

Dearden last week admitted he was despartate to sign a pair of flying wingers, while centre halfs and a right back are likely to be top of Dearden's summer shopping list.

Seven signings will give Notts a squad of twenty professionals should Michael Brough, Saul Deeney and Ian Richardson sign new contracts. Meanwhile, Notts have a number of promising youngsters in Willis Francis, Shaun Harrad and Danny Bostock waiting in the wings after promising seasons in the youth and reserve sides, while midfielder Francis managed to force his way into the first team.

"Billy has a list of targets and there is the budget available for him to bring in around seven new signings over the summer, depending on who they are and on what money," McEwan told the Evening Post.

"He has certainly identified the positions he wants to fill."

"Provided everything goes through this weekend, which we are hopeful that it will, Billy will have the chance to do that soon," said McEwan.

"We are very aware that there will be a lot of new faces in the dressing room and it is not always easy for players to settle in at new clubs which is what we have in mind with our plans for the Italian trip."
Added McEwan.