Plenty of business to be done as Reds want 20-plus squad

The head coach could also add to that with younger less experienced players - but he is planning on keeping things tight-knit.

Reds have made seven summer additions - including last year’s loanee Josh Yorwerth and two goalkeepers - while giving new contracts to four of last season’s squad.

Three remain under contract from last season, one of which is Simon Walton, whose future is in doubt, while Lanre Oyebanjo and Jon Ashton face fitness tests to earn a deal in pre-season.

That means the club currently has 11 outfield players definitely in their plans when they report back for pre-season testing with the physios on June 29 with sessions starting two days later.

That leaves a fair amount of business to be done, more so depending on the outcome of Walton, Oyebanjo and Ashton.

Drummy said: “I will go with approximately 20 outfield players. It could be 18 to 20, if it’s quality I’ll try and do that.

“Then a young one might also come in and learn, it depends, but I don’t want to overload ourselves with having to do games just for players.

“Sometimes in the law of averages you will get a few injuries where I need more players, but in training groups I need 18 so I try and keep that balance and try and get two in most positions or get some who can do a dual role.

“I don’t want to overload the budget or our training regime, where you have got players standing around.”

Drummy also does not imagine the end of emergency short-term loans will hinder his preparations this season.

World governing body FIFA have scrapped the short-term system, meaning all Football League clubs will have to do all their recruiting between the end of August and January next year.

It leaves clubs at risk of being caught low on numbers with injuries and suspensions, especially those with smaller squad.

But Drummy was not a big believer in the short-term deals and would rather bring someone in for six months to impact on the side.

He said: “You have got to do your diligence, you got to get your planning right.

“In a game I can only put three subs on. I don’t foresee it as a problem, I think the loans are quite sensible taking someone on a sixth-monthly loan.

“I think the short-term monthly loan was exactly that, come and see and then go back. It doesn’t add to the demeanour of the team.

“I want someone to come on a sixth-month loan to add to the team, to challenge for a place. Whoever comes on loan will be told they are fighting for a spot so that breeds good habits.”

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