New Town manager Jim Magilton says he is hopeful that he could announce the first signings of his managerial career before the squad return from the tour of Holland and Belgium. Magilton has the funds to bring in two permanent signings and one loanee before the beginning of the season.

The Nortehrn Irishman said: “With the OK to bring in two players - for now - I want them to be ones who can make a big difference.

“And it looks as though that could be happening by the weekend. I have a few phone calls to make.”

Magilton has decided not to pursue his interest in trialists Alexis Bertin and Mehdi Méniri. He is yet to decide whether to field remaining trialists, Finn Marko Kolsi and Icelander Indridi Sigurdsson, in Friday's final friendly on foreign soil against Dutch Eerste Divisie (second tier) side FC Dordrecht at their GN Bouw Stadion, kick-off 7.30pm local time.

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