DENNIS Wise has had conversations' with four or five targets as he looks to strengthen his squad but it looks unlikely that a pride of Lions will be roaring into Wiltshire.

Goalkeeper Andy Marshall and Kevin Braniff have both been linked with moves to the County Ground but neither ex Millwall man has come up in discussions between Town's chief executive and his manager.

And while supporters are anxious to see new signings unveiled, chief executive Mark Devlin is preaching patience once again.

It is clear that Wise's Dubai holiday is not all rest and relaxation although the numerous telephone calls have yet to yield a nailed down deal.

Indeed, it looks unlikely that anyone will be paraded' before the cameras before the manager returns.

Not that anyone at the club is fretting about the situation. It isn't just managers who are enjoying a holiday at this stage.

Devlin said: "At this stage there are four or five players Dennis has had conversations with.

"These things take time at this time of year and add to that players are on holiday as well.

"Once again, I think it is a case of people needing to be patient."

Where little concrete transfer news exists, rumours happily fill the void.

Devlin's list of polite denials continues to grow by the day with former New Den colleagues of Wise the latest for the you never say never but he's not a player we've talked about' box.

"I've seen something linking us with Kevin Braniff but that's news to me," said Town's chief executive.

And with Rhys Evans having now agreed a two-year contract with Blackpool, one of Wise's top priorities must be the acquisition of a couple of goalkeepers.

Former Chelsea man Lenny Pidgeley is one name being thrown into the melting pot, again another link to one of Wise's old clubs.

  • Former Town defender David Kerslake has joined exteammate Colin Calderwood at Nottingham Forest.

Kerslake had been reserve team boss at newly-promoted Northampton Town but has followed his old friend Calderwood from Sixfields to the City Ground to join his management team.