Exeter City hopeful of making signings before Tuesday

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor is hopeful of adding to his squad before the visit of Wycombe Wanderers to St James Park on Tuesday. Only Kegs Chauke on loan from Southampton and goalkeeper Jamal Blackman have been added to the Grecians’ squad this summer.

Taylor has been searching for new arrivals all summer, but feels the club is getting close to convincing the quality talent that they want to put pen to paper. After the first defeat of the season – a 2-1 loss at Cambridge United – the boss said there is a chance of new arrivals this week.

On the pitch, in sweltering conditions, Jevani Brown had given the Grecians a first half lead away to Mark Bonner’s men. But on the hour Sam Smith powered home a header. And just as the game looked to be heading for a draw, with three minutes left on the clock, U’s skipper Paul Digby was left unmarked to head home a late winner.

“We don’t have the biggest squad and we hope to get some reinforcements in,” Taylor said. “Hopefully we will have reinforcements in at some stage, but I will say it again, the squad needs to be stronger if we are going to compete.”

The Grecians host Wycombe on Tuesday, and then Cheltenham Town on Saturday, and when asked when he was hopeful on getting players in, he added: “Certainly before Saturday, hopefully before Tuesday. We are working as hard as we can, but I have said that for a long period of time now.”

Two players have left St James Park on loan though in search of gaining much-needed experience at a senior level. On Friday, 18-year-old centre back Alfie Pond moved to National League outfit Yeovil Town on loan until January. He was an unused substitute as the Glovers drew 1-1 at home to Wrexham.

On Saturday lunchtime it was announced that 19-year-old