WIMBORNE boss Matty Holmes says he is putting his “head on the block” by backing his young squad to better their excellent 2016-17 campaign.

Holmes opted against embarking on a summer recruitment drive, instead prioritising the retention of the men who secured a club-best 11th-place finish in Southern South & West last term.

And Magpies yesterday confirmed 16 players had penned deals committing them to the club for 2017-18.

Notably, exciting attacker Luke Holmes resisted the advances of Weymouth and Salisbury to stay at Cuthbury, while Toby Holmes, who bagged 31 goals last season, has also spurned interest from elsewhere to sign for another year.

Matty Holmes told the Daily Echo: “Toby had a good three weeks mulling things over. I think he spoke to a couple of clubs but, ultimately, he was happy to stay. He wants build on last season and continue his progress, so I am delighted with that.

“Luke is reluctant to move at this time because he wants to get himself fit and make sure his back is not going to be an ongoing problem, which it has been.

“If Luke had been fit and finished the season strongly, I think we would have lost him.

“The lads all want to develop and play at higher levels. But Luke wants to have a good pre-season, get back in the team and see what happens after that.

“I have had no calls about the other players. The protocol should be that clubs ring the manager out of courtesy but I think it is a free-for-all at this level, quite honestly."

Former Cherries midfielder Holmes expects to learn very quickly whether investing his faith in his existing squad is the right call.

There will be at least one addition to the group that finished last season, though, with captain Scott Arnold signed up and ready to return following a long-term layoff.

“I’m putting my head on the block by saying I want to stick with the squad I have,” continued Holmes. “That might be my downfall, I don’t know, time will tell.

“Scotty Arnold’s hip operation went well and he’ll be like a new signing. But, even though he’s played 500 games, it’s not a given he’ll get in the team.

“I believe this group of players can push on and get better, they’re young and they’re learning what we’re trying to do.

“I’ll be able to tell by September whether it was the right thing to stick by them – I’ll be looking to make sure they’re hungry to win games and play the right way.

“If I sense they’re not, I’ll make changes. But I’m giving them all an opportunity to stay and progress. Even if it’s a point or a place above what we achieved last season that’ll be success.

“I like to think the boys want to get better, rather than rest on their laurels. We have a group of very determined young lads and, hopefully, they’ll show that.”