HEREFORD manager Pete Beadle has been in talks with half a dozen players as he looks to beef up his squad for next season.

Some of the players, Beadle said, are from leagues above, while others have played at a similar level to Hereford.

"I've spoken to them face-to-face and they walked around the ground to get a feel of the place.

"It's a varied assortment, but they are players we believe can make us stronger.

"I've given them a few days to mull it over, so possibly in the next five or six days we will be able to sign one or two of them.

"But in the higher leagues, players like to drag things out and keep their options open, which is their prerogative.

"It's now a waiting game, but hopefully we sold the club well to them and they want to enjoy the next stage of their career here."

Hereford have already agreed terms with midfielder Mike McGrath, while youngsters Max Harris, Rory Huntbach and Harry Franklin are staying on.

Experienced duo Rob Purdie and Ryan Green are considering offers that the club have made, while Beadle will have another look at Bradley Williams in pre-season training.

However, defenders Clayton Fortune and Ollie Barnes have been released.

More talks with players will take place tonight (Thursday), although Jamie Molyneux and Mark Preece will be unable to meet up with Beadle.

"Mike agreed to stay on Tuesday night and is really positive about what he wants to do and thinks we haven't seen the best of him yet," said Beadle.

"We've asked Brad to come back in pre-season because we didn't see enough of him last season, although he did show his potential when he came on as sub a couple of times."

Beadle said there is no time limit on when he wants answers from Purdie and Green.

"We're quite relaxed about it," said Beadle.

"I had a good chat to both of them and will talk again in the next couple of days, so hopefully we will have some really positive news soon.

"We know they're getting older and that will take its toll, but they both have vast amount of experience and we want to keep them on because they have vital roles to play on and off the pitch."

Beadle admitted it didn't work out for Fortune and Barnes and that is why they have moved on.

"Ollie didn't get a run of games that he thought he would get, but he did have three good centre-halves ahead of him," said Beadle.

"Clayton was really disappointed about his performances and we couldn't put a finger on why it didn't click for him.

"Both were great examples in the changing room about how to do things right, but it just didn't work out for them and that happens in football."

Hereford have confirmed five pre-season friendlies, with an away trip at AFC Wulfrunians starting things off on Tuesday, July 11.

A local game at Wellington follows on the following Saturday, with another away game at Bishops Cleeve taking place three days later.

Hereford also confirmed yesterday that they will go to National League North teams AFC Telford and Gloucester City on July 22 and 31 respectively.

"The first few games are always looseners because players are finding their feet, but they will get a lot harder as we get closer to the start of the season," said Beadle.

"However, Conference North and South start a week before us, so the last friendly may be against a Northern Premier team.

"We've got three really good friendlies to start though, with all clubs having decent playing surfaces.

"We tried to fit in dates that worked out for us and felt playing on a Tuesday would suit us best," said Beadle.

"Last season, we played Thursday, Saturday, Tuesday which backfired on us a little bit."