STEVE Riley expects to add to his Bashley squad in the next 48 hours, with former Cherries trainees Jordan Rose and Matt Finlay both poised to sign for the club.

The Recreation Ground chief is closing in on the highly-rated pair, who have both been on trial at the New Forest outfit in recent weeks.

Having lost key trio Craig Davis, Ryan Moss and Danny Smith during the close-season, some fresh faces would be a fillip prior to Saturday's Southern League Premier Division kick-off at Clevedon.

Speaking about the promising youngsters, who can both play in a range of positions, Riley said: "We hope to get them sorted out tomorrow.

"They're lads that have been with us and they're good prospects.

"I've been impressed with what I've seen of them - they're energetic and probably looking at being ideal for this sort of standard of football.

"They're learning quite quickly and, if they keep learning, they'll develop into good players."

Bash have struggled during pre-season but Riley is happy with how his players are shaping up.

"I'm not worried about results, but more about individual performances, creating chances and how we play as a unit," he told the Daily Echo.

"It takes players time, even Premiership players on £100,000 a week take time to get used to new surroundings.

"When points are up for grabs I think we'll have a different mentality.

"We've got a better squad depth than last season and I think before the season starts there may be more new faces."

Another player linked with a move to Bash is former Basingstoke striker James Taylor.

Sources close to the Echo claim the forward, who played for Bash alongside Riley during the late 90s, could be snapped up to partner prolific Richard Gillespie in attack.

  • BASHLEY'S difficult pre-season ended with another draw, this time against Ryman Premier Division outfit Maidstone United.

Riley's side have not enjoyed the most successful of friendly programmes, but they secured a 1-1 verdict at the Recreation Ground thanks to a penalty from summer signing James Rowe.

There were plenty of new faces in the Bash line-up, with potential new signings Rose and Finlay turning out for the Southern League side.

Maidstone, meanwhile, featured ex-Cherries skipper Ian Cox after he left Gillingham last season.