MANAGER Tom Killick is happy to play the waiting game this summer despite the prospect of Marvin Brooks becoming the latest player to leave Poole Town.

Out-of-contract midfielder Brooks, 24, is set to begin pre-season alongside former team-mate Will Spetch at full-time Conference South outfit Sutton United following an invite from Us boss Paul Doswell.

The unwelcome interest comes with Killick in the midst of a search for two strikers to boost his depleted attack with Dan Cann and Michael Charles heading through the exit, while Richard Gillespie is working abroad until November.

Versatile Brooks has become one of the first names on Poole’s team sheet having weighed in with no fewer than 20 goals from midfield over the past two seasons, as well as adeptly covering defensive positions when called upon.

However, Killick has put on hold his search for a replacement for now and declared his confidence that Brooks would only move should he get offered a full-time deal with the ambitious Surrey club.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “Marvin made it clear that he wanted to stay with us unless he got the opportunity to play full-time football. Sutton can offer that and effectively it is a chance to turn professional.

“I can understand his aspirations and it’s not unusual for players to assess their options at this time of year.

“We will have to see how he gets on but the door is always open for him and I am confident he will remain a Poole Town player if nothing comes of it.

“If he leaves, I will need to bring in another midfield player but I think it is sensible for us to bide our time for now.”

Dolphins have captured two summer signings so far – defensive-minded duo Mark Jermyn and Michael Walker – with a move for Alresford Town hotshot Warren Bentley scuppered by work commitments.

Killick revealed that fellow frontrunner Robbie Matthews had been on his radar before Gosport Borough sealed a deal for the former-Salisbury man and that negotiations were ongoing with two unnamed strikers with Southern League Premier Division experience.

As things stand, ex-Cherries youngster Jordan Chiedozie is set to begin pre-season at Tatnam, dependent on his search for a full-time club, while Warren Byerley remains keen to prove his worth ahead of the new campaign.

On his quest for more firepower, Killick added: “We probably need to sign a couple of forwards but it’s not as desperate as some people make out.

“While we want to get someone in as soon as possible, I don’t want to regret committing too early for the sake of it.

“It is difficult to get the right people within the budget, possibly more so this year than in the past but there are a lot of other clubs operating under similar constraints.

“I’m talking to a couple of professional clubs about the possibility of extended loan deals as well so we are exploring all possibilities.”