Express & Star

Stafford Rangers boss Steve Burr eyes loans from the Potters

Stafford Rangers boss Steve Burr has cast his eye over a number of Stoke City youngsters and taken on several trialists as he bids to boost his squad.

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Burr has signed Luke Jones, Tom Thorley, Sam Coulson, Jon Adams and Tom Marshall over the past few weeks – but ‘plenty of work’ is still to be done.

Rangers began pre-season training last weekend and are heading to Cannock side Heath Hayes for a friendly on Saturday (3pm). On the state of his side, Burr, who took over earlier this summer, said: “The lads came back in good shape and we’re having a look at some as well. There was about eight trialists on Saturday.

“We’ll look at them as they go along and see how they perform.

“I was pleasantly surprised, actually, with those who came in. We’re not working on the same type of budget as last year so if we can pick up one or two from lower down who have come in, that’d be great. I’ve been over to Stoke as well to have a look at some of their younger players and see if we could get one or two on loan.

“All in all, we’re reasonably pleased but there is plenty of work to be done.”

The hot, dry weather resulted in Boro having to cancel their scheduled friendly with Tamworth on Saturday at Marston Road, as grass seeds planted in the surface have not developed fully.

The fixture could not be reversed due to another game at Tamworth and Heath Hayes then agreed to a friendly with Burr’s charges.