Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett has called for patience in the transfer market and admits the club operating are in a different financial league to the demands of those looking to join the Stones.

Bartlett has been unable to add to his squad this summer with financial demands proving a stumbling block. Wealdstone return to training later this month but their manager is refusing to panic about the lack of signings.

Bartlett said: “At the moment we seem to be in a different league from what players want and what we can afford. But it is still relatively early.

“We start back in three weeks and I would like to get a few in by then. But we won’t panic and bow to some of the requirements players are asking for at this stage of the close season.

“Some of these players are good so they have understandably been paid well but we just have to be patient.”

Loanee Luke O’Nien has returned to Watford and striker Richard Jolly has left for a second time to join Kingstonian. Bartlett hopes to fill those voids and wants to bring in a mixture of youth and experience.

He commented: “There are one or two priorities but it is about building a good squad.

“We have to be sensible and make sure that we don’t break the bank. We still have a good group so there is no reason to panic.

“There are probably about five or six places up for grabs.

“If we could bring in that number then it would be ideal. It would nice to be able to mix getting a couple of youngsters with a few experienced players.”

The need to add the squad is also highlighted by the Stones having three players suspended for the opening game of next season.

Bartlett said: “We will have Matt Ball, Wes Parker and Jefferson Louis suspended for the first game which is an unusual position to be in. It’s something I’ve never experienced before.

“It’s unusual to pick up their tenth booking at the stage they did but we will just have to deal with it.”

After a difficult start to last season following promotion to the Conference South, the Stones improved significantly finishing in 12th position.

Bartlett is under no illusions about the challenge ahead of them again and is targeting gradual improvement on the pitch.

The Stones manager said: “We were naive when we first came into the league but we don’t want to take anything for granted next season. This is going to be an extremely strong league with the likes of Dartford and Maidstone United in it.

“My personal philosophy is to finish higher the next season as I’ve done this 18 times in 21 years here. Our aim is to finish above 12th and if we can get into the top half of the league we’ll be very pleased.

“There are some very big hitters in this league and we’re a long way adrift compared to what some of them are forking out.”