Carshalton Athletic boss Matt Howard says two players from Whyteleafe have been training with the club ahead of a possible move to Colston Avenue.

He also assured fans that money is not being used to attract players, saying that any former Leafe players would be taking a cut to join the Robins.

He said: “Four players – Alex Penfold, Greg Andrews, Dylan [Merchant] and Bentley Graham – have been linked with us, but only two are training here.

“I’ve seen the stories about money, but I can guarantee they would be on less with us than they would be at Whyteleafe, if they signed.”

The former Corinthian Casuals boss added: “I was spoilt last year that I got a side to mid-table on nothing, so if players come to me now asking about money, I just throw that back in their face.”

One player who will not be part of Howard’s budget side is Austin Gacheru, who has signed for Sevenoaks Town – and one unnamed player who Howard says has let him down already.

He said: “To get a side on little money to perform well, you need to make a good environment and you need to have players on board who want to learn and progress.

“Austin signed for Sevenoaks before I even arrived at the club, he didn’t even speak to me.

“And there’s one player, who I won’t name, said he was not sure what he was doing, but he’d give me the opportunity to have a look at him in training – he’s not turned up once.

"I don’t want players like that because if they cannot be truthful pre-season, that’s no good.”

Wimbledon Times:

Gone man: Austin Gacheru left Colston Avenue before new boss Matt Howard had his foot in the door

The Robins kick-off their pre-season schedule at Chessington & Hook this weekend (kick-off midday).

Despite being in the early stages of the build up to the new Ryman Division One South season, Howard knows what he wants from his charges.

“Saturday is all about me giving a few instructions to the players and see if they carry out what we’ve asked,” he said.

“From then onwards, it’s about trying to mould the side to how we want us to be playing.”

He added: “I am a laid back in pre-season and I could not care less if we lost all the games as long as the players are getting enough legs into them and you can see they are buying in to what we’re asking for. I am more than happy with that.”