Harvey set to swoop

9:17am Friday 9th May 2008

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FOREST Green manager Jim Harvey is set to sign five or six players this summer, writes Ashley Loveridge and Rob Iles.

Last week Rovers released Chris Giles, Danny Carey-Bertram, Lee Dodgson, Anthony Tonkin, Mark Preece, and Lorcan Sheehan. Chris Davis has also expressed his desire to stay with Shortwood United Harvey's attention has turned to bringing in a raft of fresh faces, and he is also confident about finding a replacement for 34-goal striker Stuart Fleetwood.

He told the SNJ: "We're talking to half a dozen boys at the moment. We'll be looking for a squad of 17 or 18."

Harvey has denied national newspaper reports linking Fleetwood with a £250,000 move to Championship side Charlton Athletic, and insisted that the club has not heard anything from any other clubs.

Although Fleetwood's contract ends this summer, as he is under the age of 24 the club will receive a fee for the prolific forward, but Harvey could not comment on whether that would be anywhere near the quarter of a million pound mark.

He said: "There's been no contact from anyone yet so we don't know what we'll get for him."

Harvey also confirmed he expects all of the other players to have been offered new contracts to sign within the next few days.

Meanwhile, Harvey could turn to former club Morecambe who released seven players this week.

Defender Simon Grand, midfielders Neil Sorvel and Jamie Burns and striker Jon Newby are the quartet released by the Shrimps' boss Sammy McIlory.

Said McIlroy: "It is always a difficult time of year for a manager and difficult decisions have to be made.

"All four players have played their part in our success this year and we are all very grateful for their efforts and wish them well.'' Youngsters Paul Jarvis, Andy Langford and Jamie Davies have also been released.

Harvey previously signed Ryan Robinson, John Hardiker, Jonathan Smith and Adriano Rigoglioso from his old club.