BOBSON BAWLING and Emmett O'Connor look set to sign deals at Crawley Town with manager John Gregory admitting he needs more strength in depth.
Crawley currently have 18 players signed on, including West Ham United loanee Raphael Spiegel, but Gregory wants to add a "few squad players" ahead of the Reds' League One opener at Barnsley on August 9.
Bawling is an 18-year-old winger who was released by Watford while 21-year-old Canadian O'Connor, who can play in midfield or as a striker, has never played for an English club, having played much of his football at university in America.
The pair have been ever-present in Crawley's pre-season squads so far and Gregory has hinted he may offer them deals to stay in Sussex.
"I want to bring in a few squad players," the manager said.
"I need to fill up my squad and ensure I've got back up all over the pitch. I need competition so the boys know they need to fight for their place and I'm looking at youngsters who will come in and have something to prove.
"I need to make the squad a lot bigger in depth without breaking my budget.
"I don't want a top earner sat on the bench not participating. For me, it's better to have a youngster on the bench, eager to get on.
"That's the fine balance; we aren't going to be able to have 25 players on top salaries so I hope by the weekend we will have added a couple of youngsters to compete for places."
