MARK COOPER is confident he can get a “few players in the door” as Forest Green prepare to return to training this month.

Cooper will usher Rovers back on June 29 and he is hoping to add to the squad this week, but is mindful some targets will be lost due to his side’s National League status.

He said: “Hopefully we can get a few players in the door over the next week and get everyone away for a break so everybody, staff included, report back fresh for the 29th.

“The biggest problem we have is the league status, if you’re in League Two it’s easy to recruit as a lot of players want to stay in the Football League and that’s understandable, so we will lose some players, but as the weeks go by we will sign some.”

Cooper is delighted to have snapped-up key defender Aarran Racine on a two-year deal and Marcus Kelly on a one-year, but hinted he would favour a back-three, which he deployed successfully at Swindon Town and during the second half in the Promotion Final defeat against Grimsby Town at Wembley last month.

Cooper added: “Aarran is a key part of what we want to do. Every time I saw Forest Green play last year he was outstanding.”

Cooper also confirmed Racine will continue as captain next season after caretaker boss Scott Bartlett handed him the role for the final two games of the season.

“Aarran is an ideal captain, but this is not a massive thing for me who the captain is, but if we are going to have one - he is as capable as anyone.

“He has all the qualities I need in a defender –calm on the ball and aggressively defensively - and I’m really looking forward to working with him “Every time I saw him play with Charlie Clough they had a really good understanding and obviously with Dale Bennett as well, it’s a real strong three at the back.”

Bennett is yet to agree new terms, but Cooper expects a deal to go through this week.

“I’m pretty close to a deal with Dale and I don’t’ think there will be an issue with that one and I’m pretty confident the players we have offered contracts to will re-sign.”