Blues set to overlook trialists, Critchell says

PORTLAND United are “content” with their current squad and look set to pass up the option of signing trialists, boss Kyle Critchell says.

The Blues have signed 17 players for the 2024/25 season, including new recruits Patrick Jenkins and Freddie Beale, but have lost defender Matt Harvey to the Weymouth Under-23s assistant job.

Speaking to Echosport regarding the possibility of bolstering his squad, Critchell said: “We’ve had a couple come in and train with us.

“I think at our level, and I don’t mean to be condescending by calling them trialists, I think everyone should be given the chance to prove themselves.

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“The link we had was through Pro Direct, they’ve been fantastic in sending players down.

“None of them at the moment have necessarily caught our eye. We’re quite content with the squad we’ve got and beginning the season as we are.”

Asked why the trialists had not impressed, Critchell replied: “I put that down to not having enough contact time to see them in their true light.

“We want to be a bit smaller in size and it’s important that everyone in the squad knows they’ve got a chance to compete and play.

“If we have injuries we’ll have to adjust but at the moment we’re very happy.”

Portland’s second friendly of the summer comes at Bridport on Saturday (2pm).