AFC Sudbury manager Nicky Smith has had further talks with Gareth Heath and last season's leading scorer James Rowe in a bid to get both back to King's Marsh for the Southern League season.
"We have made improved offers to both of them," said Smith, "but both have rejected the improved terms. I will be speaking to them again to see if we can reach agreement.
"It is up to them. If they want to come back, on the terms we are prepared t
o offer, that is fine. But we are talking to other players."
Smith has had talks with a striker, currently with a Blue Square South club, and has a couple of other strikers lined up to join pre-season training in the next couple of weeks.
"Things are going well in training. We are working hard, and I believe, when the season comes round, we will have a good, strong squad in place," said Smith.
"We want to breed good, winning habits from the start," he said, with AFC set for their first pre-season game at Long Melford on Monday, July 14.
The FA Cup preliminary round, on August 30, has given AFC a home tie against Lowestoft Town or St Ives Town, with the winners visiting Blue Square South Cambridge City in the first qualifying round two weeks later.
"It's winnable," said Smith. "The main thing is it's a home draw, and Cambridge City is a great incentive, and a big day out."
The FA Trophy sees AFC visit Waltham Forest, who play at Ilford, in the preliminary round on October 4, with the winners at Potters Bar or Brentwood Town two weeks later.
Week 9 winners of the AFC Gold fundraiser: £100 – P Scott (223), Constitution Hill, Sudbury; £10 – F Niall (362), c/o Ian's Barbers, North Street, Sudbury; £10 – H Walker (281), Brunwin Road, Rayne.
The full article contains 317 words and appears in Suffolk Free Press newspaper.
