ASHFORD Town will continue their pursuit of Hastings United striker Sam Adams next week, as they try to reach agreement with the Ryman League Premier Division club over a transfer fee.

Manager Steve Lovell remains determined to get his man and is confident Adams will be at Homelands in the near future.

Lovell said: “Sam doesn’t want to stay at Hastings, he wants to join us. So it’s now up to Hastings. They are holding out for a large sum of money, so hopefully we can get the fee sorted and do a deal. Don Crosbie will be back next week so we should have more joy then.”

Lovell will be hoping that Adams is an Ashford player by the time the club play their first friendly, against Hythe Town, on July 22.

The original opening pre-season match against Tunbridge Wells has been cancelled but despite the minor setback, the manager remains upbeat about the team’s pre-season.

“You don’t like to have games cancelled as you plan training around the games,” Lovell added. “But we still have six friendlies and I’m still talking to a few clubs.

“We have a few trialists and reserve team players training with us, they will get a chance to impress during the friendlies, so things are looking good.”