AFC TOTTON boss Steve Hollick anticipates Neil Williams being part of the Stags’ travelling party to Evesham United on Saturday.

The midfielder is high on league rivals Winchester City’s wanted list, but Hollick has no reason to believe he is leaving the Testwood Stadium.

“Winchester put seven days in for him and have done everything properly and we’ve given him permission to speak to them,” said the Totton boss.

“But when I spoke to Neil he was keen to stay.

“That might all change, but Neil’s as good as gold and, unless I hear differently, he’ll be on the coach on Saturday.”

Rather than lose players, Hollick is keen to get more in.

Like Winchester, Totton are the wrong end of the Southern One South & West table and could badly do with a confidence-boosting revenge win at 13th-placed Evesham, where they were humbled 6-0 last season.

The Stags have won just one of six league games so far this term and the squad needs a pick-me-up. But, thus far, Hollick has drawn a blank.

“I’ve tried to get a few new faces in, but I’m finding it quite difficult,” he admitted.

“We’d like to freshen things up if we can and we’re keeping tabs on certain targets. It’s a case of balancing the squad we’ve already got and the budget.”

One recent signing yet to appear is defender Jack Vallis, who has been dogged by hamstring problems since switching from Salisbury.

“Hamstrings are difficult because it’s always in the back of your mind until you test it out, but Jack’s trained and we’re hoping he’ll be available for selection,” said Hollick.

Targetman Dylan Knight, who has barely played since suffering a dislocated shoulder in the final pre-season friendly, has also trained but won’t be risked yet.

“Dylan played five or ten minutes against North Leigh and just about got away with it, but he felt a twinge in the following game,” said Hollick.

“Shoulders pop in and out and we don’t want to rush him in case it happens again and he has to start from zero.”