DAGENHAM & REDBRIGE are hoping to tie up the signings of free agents Glenn Poole and Will Antwi in time for their first pre-season friendly on Saturday. Both Poole, a left winger, and central defender Antwi have been attending pre-season training with th

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE are hoping to tie up the signings of free agents Glenn Poole and Will Antwi in time for their first pre-season friendly on Saturday, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

Both Poole, a left winger, and central defender Antwi have been attending pre-season training with the Daggers, and assistant manager Terry Harris is hopeful the deals will be completed soon.

"We've got Glenn Poole and Will Antwi training with us, so John (Still) is going to sit down with them over the next couple of days and try to get things sorted out," he told the Recorder.

Both players will come with plenty of Football League experience, and as both are free transfers, they would represent excellent business for Daggers.

Antwi, 26, is a Ghanaian international, after representing his country in 2003, when they lost 3-1 to Nigeria in the LG four-nation tournament.

The imposing centre half began his career at Championship side Crystal Palace, making seven appearances for the Selhurst Park club, before he joined Aldershot.

He stayed with the Shots for two seasons, helping them to the Conference play-off final on both occasions, only to lose out against Shrewsbury Town and Carlisle United respectively.

He then earned a move to Wycombe Wanderers, but broke his toe at the start of last season and was sent on loan to Blue Square Premier side Northwich Victoria.

Despite returning to the Chairboys side later in the campaign, he was released by Peter Taylor as his side look to scale League One this season.

Meanwhile, Poole, 28, is an left-winger, who made 78 appearances for Brentford since joining from Grays Athletic in 2007, scoring an impressive 21 times.

Two of those strikes were actually against Daggers, as he netted both goals during their 2-1 defeat on New Year's Day two seasons ago.

He was also released from Griffin Park at the end of the year.

"Glenn is a very good player, so to get him for free would be an excellent piece of business," continued Harris.

"They have both come in and done very well in training so far.

"Losing the five players that we did left a big void in the squad, so we have been pleased with the ones who have come in, as the likes of Danny Green and Josh Scott have looked lively."

One player who looks like he will be staying at Daggers next season is striker Paul Benson, despite the recent interest from League One Gillingham.

"That has all been put to bed now," said Harris.

"Paul has trained with us for the last seven days and has looked sharp.

"He is ready to get going with the new season now."

Daggers begin their pre-season schedule this weekend with a trip to Ryman One North side Concord Rangers on Saturday, before another visit to Boreham Wood on Tuesday night.

Harris confirmed a full-strength squad would be taken to both games, while a youth side would visit Thurrock on Saturday morning.

What do you think of Daggers two targets? Email: sport@ilfordrecorder.co.uk

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