New Ipswich Wanderers boss Shane Wardley shouldn’t have any shortage of options when he builds his squad for the new Thurlow Nunn Premier Division season, this summer.

The 36-year-old Wanderers’ left-back was appointed as Glenn Read’s successor last week and while he will be registered as a player, he is likely to take more of a watching brief.

The role is his first in management, although he did help out Read and his assistant manager, Nick Albins, during a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury this season.

“I will hopefully keep most of the current squad and add two or three new faces,” said Wardley, who confirmed Albins will be staying.

“I have spoken to a couple of players who are keen to come to pre-season, while a couple more have asked if they can train with us.

“I have also had managers phone me up to let me know if I need a hand.”

He added: “That’s (the transition from player to manager) going to be very hard but when I was helping Glenn, I was taking training sessions and I got a good response from them so hopefully that will continue.”

Asked why he chose now to concentrate more on coaching, the ex-Southend defender admitted: “I think it was more to do with the niggling knee injury I picked up this season.

“It was taking me two or three days to recover which wasn’t ideal.”

Wanderers finished the season in 15th position, five points clear of the drop zone, after a demanding but enjoyable FA Vase run took its toll.

“The main thing is to stay in the league and have a good cup run,” Wardley explained.

“The season we have just had was like a game of two halves and we fell away in the second half for some unknown reason and could not get those wins we needed.

I have got a half-decent knowledge of the game and we have got to improve on that and be in mid-table or higher.”