Whitehaven coach Gary Charlton expects another ‘three or four’ players to follow forward Matty While through the door as he looks to mould a squad capable of promotion.

While, who signed a two-year-deal from Barrow, became Charlton’s 19th signing since he was revealed as the club’s new boss at the start of last month.

But Charlton is not finished building his squad and expects more faces to arrive at the Recreation Ground in the coming weeks, although he is keen to ensure any additions are ‘quality’.

Charlton said: “I think we’re getting a great group together with a mixture of young lads and some experienced ones and hopefully they will gel and work well.

“We’ll probably expect to sign another three, maybe four.

“We need competition and you can’t go with just 20 because it’s all about getting the lads who don’t have the shirt to fight to get it the next week.

“I think it’ll take two or three weeks to maybe get another couple over the line but we don’t want to totally fill our roster yet in case someone comes up who we would want.

“We’re still on the lookout for quality players.”

The players are due back in for preseason training next Tuesday and will be expected to train three times a week as Charlton looks to get them in shape for the season opener against Keighley Cougars on February 17 after the League One fixtures were revealed on Sunday.

“I can’t wait now to get going,” he said.

“We’re really looking forward to it because we see it as a challenge but one that we’re well up for.

“You always have a little look at the fixtures, especially where the derby games are, but our main focus will be on that first game and hopefully getting two points.”

While returns to the club after spending a short spell on loan with Haven early last season.

He made two appearances, figuring against Workington Town in the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy game and in the Challenge Cup tie against London Skolars.