ELY City manager Dennis Lightning remains hopeful of keeping Andy Chatters at the club despite Wisbech Town showing an interest in signing the Ely skipper. Lightning said: I haven t heard anything from Wisbech so, as far as I am concerned, Andy remains

ELY City manager Dennis Lightning remains hopeful of keeping Andy Chatters at the club despite Wisbech Town showing an interest in signing the Ely skipper.

Lightning said: "I haven't heard anything from Wisbech so, as far as I am concerned, Andy remains an Ely player."

But Lightning has had to accept the departure of Tom Beech and striker Nick Impey, who has signed for Newmarket Town.

The City manager admits that he will have a better idea of his squad for next season when training begins this week.

He said: "We don't have players on contract and so I have had to contact all of the squad and ask them to commit to training.

"I am hopeful that most players will be back for next season."

Lightning also revealed that there will be new faces at the training sessions. He said: "I have invited seven or eight new players and I think that they could improve the squad next season.

"I want to try and strengthen the midfield and sign another forward. I also think that it is important that we bring youth players through into the first team."

Ely will entertain Walsham-le-Willows in the first round of the Ridgeons League Cup next season. The match will be played in the week commencing October 22.

This will be preceded by a trip to March Town United in the preliminary round of the First Division Knockout Cup, to be played in the week commencing October 8.