Castle not counting out Sunday and Sulaiman

ST Albans City manager Steve Castle is not counting out winger Hassan Sulaiman and striker Akanni-Sunday Wasiu from his plans for next season.

Sulaiman impressed on the right flank in his first season in City colours although he was troubled by hamstring problems for much of the campaign. Striker Sunday fired in three goals in 12 league appearances and could easily have had more with Lee Clarke and Paul Hakim both diverting in Sunday efforts.

Sunday has spoken of a trial with League Two side Brentford and Sulaiman is believed to be considering his options. The City players return to training on Monday, June 30 and Castle will be clearer from then as to who will be available to him. The City boss has a number of triallists lined up to attend training and is relaxed about the situation with Sulaiman and Sunday,. He said: "It is really for us to look at other avenues while not counting out Hassan Sulaiman and Sunday. We have lots of people to look at and hopefully there are a few gems there. We have players that are looking for a second opportunity where they haven't quite made it at higher clubs. Some I have heard about from my connections that I have got at league clubs and Conference clubs where lads that I know and trust have said they are decent and worth having a look at."

City play their first friendly match at Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday, July 9, and Castle is considering adding a couple more matches to the schedule. He said: "We could maybe do with a couple more reserve-type triallist games. It is important that the lads that we have retained get match practice as well and it will be a bit of a blend until the last two or three weeks of pre-season.

"There have been a few clubs in contact about other friendlies. We have a couple of money earners with the Tottenham XI, Barnet and Watford XI games and hopefully the people will turn up for those.