Tisdale reveals his squad plans

EXETER City manager Paul Tisdale has lifted the lid on the positions he wants to strengthen ahead of next season's Coca-Cola League One assault.

The City boss is looking to sign around a dozen players before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Tisdale off-loaded five players at the end of the season and has lost the services of Dean Moxey and Matt Gill to Derby County and Norwich City respectively.

Now he admits he is looking to bring in at least two left-sided defenders, two midfielders and two strikers to go straight into the first team squad.

And he wants to sign another six young development players with potential.

"There is a two-pronged recruitment drive here," said Tisdale.

"We want to sign half a dozen players capable of going into our first team squad and another half a dozen to go into our development squad."

Tisdale's major priority is to bring in a left-back following Moxey's departure to Pride Park.

The 23-year-old's exit has left a void with only Rob Edwards and Danny Seaborne capable of playing the role.

"Ronnie Bull, Fred Murray and Jack Obersteller have all gone so we had four left backs and now have none," said Tisdale. "Obviously Rob Edwards can play there but I don't see that being long-term. Danny Seaborne could play in that position.

"But I would imagine we are going to sign two, if not three, left-sided defenders.

"I would also like a couple of midfielders, a couple of strikers and another goalkeeper.

"But they are not all going to be signed by tomorrow. This is a process that will go through until the end of August.

"If we can get it done sooner then all the better. We have also got a trial period for young players over the next few weeks.

"Hopefully we can find the next Jamie Mackie or Paul Jones. That is the way the club has done it over the last four or five years — picking up talented 19 and 20 year olds."

City's finances have been boosted following the £350,000 sale of Moxey to Derby County. And although Tisdale has refused to rule out paying transfer fees to sign new players, he is hoping not to have to splash the cash.

"I would consider paying a fee but only if it is right," said Tisdale. "I am not against paying money.

"Since I have been at the club I have not spent a penny in transfer fees yet we have taken a million or so.

"So that is a pretty good ratio and if most clubs could achieve that then they would be doing very well.

"I would think it is unlikely that I start paying transfer fees because we want young hungry players with a point to prove and they aren't always the players that you have got to pay money for."