FROME Town boss Adrian Foster hopes to convince ex-Swindon Town youngsters Mark Francis and Alex Ferguson to put pen to paper at Badgers Hill.

The duo, who were released by League One Swindon at the end of last season, have both featured in pre-season, striker Francis scoring in the 3-0 win over Gillingham Town last weekend and midfielder Ferguson starting Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Conference Premier Woking.

Both had loan spells with Frome last season and Foster, who this week signed former Paulton Rovers and Odd Down goalkeeper Lewis Pierre and local striker Tom Golledge, is exploring the possibility of bolstering his striking options for the start of the Southern League Premier Division campaign.

“I know that he’s got offers from other clubs but Mark Francis knows the club and what I’m about, so hopefully I can get him signed on next week,” said Foster.

“I hadn’t seen Fergie play until Tuesday night but he did very well and he’s another one I’d like to hopefully convince to sign for us.

“The squad is looking strong at the moment but I do think that I need to try and get a striker in on loan.

“I’ve touched base with Yeovil, Swindon and Woking and I’ll see if we can get somebody in because Ben Thomson is suspended for the first three games and Tom Golledge is away for the start of the season too – if not, I might have to pull my boots on, which would definitely be embarrassing.”

Foster thought his side were more than match for Conference giants Woking on Tuesday.

Josh Ford headed the hosts into the lead after connecting with Jon Vance’s free-kick with 18 minutes on the clock before Reece Beckles equalised for Woking on the stroke of half-time.

Foster said: “They were a very good side – I was very impressed.

“But I thought that we matched them and defended really well.

“We’re going to change to a very attacking 4-3-3 this season, which I played at Gillingham, and the players have performed really well so far in pre-season.”

New signing Golledge grabbed Frome’s other two goals in Saturday’s win at Toolstation League Gillingham.

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