HALSTEAD Town boss Jody Brown has admitted he finds it refreshing' that players are proving difficult to sign this summer.

Brown has been trying to add to his squad ahead of the new season, but has been having trouble securing the signatures of new players.

He told the Gazette: "I have not been able to bring anyone in yet and it has been because of a combination of things.

"I'm only interested in players who are better than what I have already got "It takes a lot to tempt players who are secure at their clubs.

"We do not have the level of money that will make a player jump if we throw it at them.

"I'm having to offer the same sort of money that they are already on so am trying to coax them to Halstead for footballing reasons.

"It is a big stumbling block and it is not all that frustrating because I find it quite refreshing that players are loyal to their clubs - I expect it of my players too."

Halstead begin pre-season training this week and will be concentrating on football specific work, according to Brown.

He is currently going into pre-season with almost the same squad as he had back in May, which the exception of the departed Paul Rutherford and Danny Rochester.

He said: "My priority was always to keep the players together. I have lost two but I have kept the nucleus together.

"I would like to bring in players to replace those I have lost but I won't be signing anyone just because they have a big name - they have to be in the position I am looking for."