BLUES boss Jim Magilton is looking to spend most of his budget on proven players this summer to balance the up-and-coming talent he already has.With the Blues set to reach around 13,000 season ticket sales, Magilton's finances should be relatively healthy for the new season.

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton is looking to spend most of his budget on proven players this summer to balance the up-and-coming talent he already has.

With the Blues set to reach around 13,000 season ticket sales, Magilton's finances should be relatively healthy for the new season.

He said: “Every extra penny we make from season tickets goes into the coffers and helps with recruitment. The more quality we have, the better it is.”

Magilton has been steadily building his squad this season with players such as Gary Roberts and Jon Walters from League Two, Ian Miller from non-league Bury Town and introducing talent from the Academy.

But he has also brought in experienced players, such as player of the year Sylvain Legwinski and on-loan Francis Jeffers, who he is looking to keep full-time.

Although Magilton admitted his interest in Cambridge United's Robbie Simpson to the EADT, he does not have highly-rated Conference striker Paul Benson, from Dagenham & Redbridge, in his sights.

The players Town are likely to pursue in the summer are of the proven ability type, although Magilton will not reveal what positions he is looking at just yet.

Magilton said: “We have not looked at Paul, although we know how many goals he has scored. There are gems in the lower leagues but we have to be careful that we don't introduce too many at one stage.

“Gary and Jon have stepped up to the mark but we need to do things gradually and we now need to be looking at backing favourites. We have targets which will make us a better side. We need more experience through the spine of the team and we will see people come and some people go.

“We are starting to grasp the nettle with the new players and the young players are now appreciating what it takes to step up, and we have to accelerate that.

“Pre-season will be important as we bed down together and get through the basics and reinforce our principles.”

A number of players will be sent out on loan again, with Danny Haynes benefiting from his stay at Millwall. Chris Casement has returned from a spell at The New Den and could be included in Saturday's squad to face Leeds.