Salisbury City are hopeful of adding two more full-time professionals to their ranks "sooner rather than later".

The Blue Square Premier new-boys are in talks with centre-back Ian Herring and ex-Saints defender Craig Richards about becoming the latest players to join the club on a professional basis.

Both have been on trial at the Ray Mac during pre-season.

Herring, 23, is a former trainee at Swindon Town, during which time he spent a loan spell at Salisbury, and spent last season at Chippenham Town.

Richards, meanwhile, used to skipper of Saints' youth team.

Player-coach Tommy Widdrington said: "Ian Herring and Craig Richards have not yet signed contracts but we are speaking to both parties. We are hopeful on those two.

"Both of them have been with us for the whole pre-season and been patient and we are going to take them on on a full-time basis.

"They are at an age where it will be beneficial to have both of them full-time and they both seem happy to do that. If we can do that sooner rather than later we will be happy."

Full story: See today's Echo.