Ashford are playing a waiting game as they look to add further quality to their squad.

Assistant boss Alex O’Brien says he and manager Tommy Warrilow have been speaking to players on trial at higher-league clubs, waiting to see if they are offered deals.

If those players do become available, the Nuts & Bolts will need to be ready to pounce as they look to mount another Isthmian South East promotion bid.

O’Brien said: “We have pretty much whittled down the trialists. Now, what we are waiting on is the players on trial at higher clubs to see whether they get deals at the clubs they are at.

“If not, we need to start talking to them. We are looking to do that.

“But we are running out of games to get a settled squad together.

“There’s five we are talking to now.

"We have got a net out… Let’s just look to catch a fish!”

Ashford lost 1-0 on Saturday to Southern Counties East Premier Division Erith and O’Brien was disappointed with the Nuts & Bolts’ performance.

“They gave us a good game but, I’ve got to be honest, I was disappointed with the way we played. I just feel we are better than that,” he reflected.

“I don’t want to put too much negativity on it but it was not really us.

"They made it difficult for us, but we have to do better than that.

“I told the boys after the game I expect a higher standard than we have shown in the last two games.”

O’Brien took charge of the side against Erith, with Warrilow on holiday, having also done so as they played out a goalless stalemate with Rochester last Thursday.

When asked what it’s been like being in charge, O’Brien, who also was at the helm for Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat to Margate, replied: “I hate it!

“I think we have worked together for something like 15 years. Like a married couple, I know my job and my roles, and he knows his jobs and his roles.

“All of a sudden, when someone is not there, it’s completely different. If anyone deserves a holiday now, it’s me!

“But whoever is there, we still expect players to give their all for 90 minutes.”

Warrilow is back now, though, and he will return to the dug-out when Ashford host a Charlton Academy side next Tuesday at Homelands.

It’s a match O’Brien is looking forward to, saying: “It’s brilliant because the club have a tie with Charlton, which is terrific for the area.

“Let’s hope they bring a decent side down and we can put on a performance.

"Hopefully that can give everyone a lift, going into the Folkestone game that weekend.”