POOLE Town boss Tom Killick admits he would love to sign Rhys Baggridge and Lewis Tallack – but he fears they will be looking at a higher level.

The pair starred for Dolphins during impressive loan spells at Tatnam last season and Killick revealed he would be keen to recruit them permanently.

Baggridge and Tallack are both free agents having been released by professional clubs Yeovil Town and Portsmouth, respectively.

Centre-half Baggridge became a big fans’ favourite after scoring four goals in 15 appearances in the Southern League for Poole.

Right-back Tallack started 11 times and featured in the Dorset club’s dramatic play-off final defeat against Gosport Borough.

Manager Killick is determined to go one better by achieving promotion to the Southern Premier next season.

He is understood to be targeting a number of players from a higher level but is remaining silent on the identities of his potential recruits in order to avoid alerting rival clubs.

But Killick did confess his interest in both Baggridge and Tallack.

He told the Daily Echo: “I’d love to have both of them back but they are young lads who are ambitious to remain as professionals.

“If that is not possible, I would imagine they might be looking to play higher than we can provide.

“But we have made it clear to both that should that not prove possible, we would be interested in them.

“If you think about Lewis Tallack, he was released from a Championship club as a first-year pro. I would expect him to think he can remain full-time and I know Rhys will want to remain full-time.

“If that didn’t work out for them, I would anticipate they might be prepared to consider it, but I think they will be trying other things first.”

Killick says he has also spoken to released Cherries keeper Jordan Seabright about the possibility of giving him game-time with Poole in pre-season.

The Dolphins manager also confirmed that Yeovil boss Gary Johnson had indicated a willingness to send more players to Tatnam on loan when the new season gets under way.

Meanwhile, Poole striker Steve Smith is understood to be on the verge of completing a move to neighbours Wimborne Town. Magpies are also believed to be interested in Dolphins utility man Kevin Gill.