Barkingside manager Alex Goldstone is looking to use the break from Essex Senior League action to improve his squad.

Side will not play again until Friday, December 7 when they take on local rivals Redbridge at Cricklefield Stadium.

They head into the break bottom of the league and seven points adrift of nearest rivals Leyton Athletic.

“I’m slowly getting some players in and I think that is a problem as we’ve lacked depth within the squad,” Goldstone said.

“I am leaning on Romford a lot right now, just to use players and make up the numbers at the moment.

“It’s not something I want to do forever, I want to have a core group of players, and then make the right from Romford to help me along.

“It’s just trying to find the right personnel, as you try to talk to someone and they see you’re bottom of the league and a few points adrift, who would want to join that sort of a team?

“It is going to take some convincing to get them on board. But I want to find the players who are going to run through a brick wall for me as they’re the players we need at the minute.”

Barkingside have moved to bring in former Romford man Joey Oates and former Clapton and Hoddesdon Town striker Ikem Odeh.

“I’ve got Joey Oates in, a number of years ago he used to play for Romford, he came back to train with them a few weeks ago,” said Goldstone.

“He has only been playing local football, nothing too special, but he wants to get back into it.

“Once he’s up and running, he’s real quality, he played over 100 games for Romford in the Ryman League.

“We’ve also brought in another guy called Ik who has been at Hoddesdon this year and again he’s another contact through ‘Magic’ (Paul Martin).

“He can play centre-half and centre-midfield, so he’ll be a utility man for us.”

Goldstone also revealed he is looking to bring in an assistant manager, adding: “I’m currently speaking to someone about being my number two. They’ve got some great contacts and hopefully they can come on board and bring a few players with them.”