John Crumplin admits he has a real battle on his hands to put together a Walton & Hersham squad that can trouble the big guns in the Ryman Division One South this season.

Shorn of a reserve side, Crumplin is currently trying to whittle down a pre-season squad of 28 players to 18 in time for the big kick-off.

And the former Brighton man revealed his frustration at having to cut loose some of his younger stars.

Crumplin said: “We have to face facts.

“We do not have a reserve side this season, and that makes things very difficult to keep some of our younger players.

“I have no doubt that in years to come a few of them could do a good job for the first team, but we have no way to develop them.

“Unfortunately my role is all about the now and putting together a team that can challenge right away.

“So we will either have to send these guys out on loan, or release them altogether.”

The Swans’ preparations continued at the weekend with a comfortable 4-1 win at Crawley Down, with Simon Austin, Danny Green, Jack Johnson and Liam Wright on target.

And Crumplin reckons his new-look side is coming along nicely.

He added: “It was a pretty easy win to be honest but they were a lower league side.

“If we had not been able to deal with them we would have been in trouble.

“I have been pretty pleased with the guys that I have bought in.

“The players that were here originally obviously have the shirt but judging on performances so far I would say five or six are likely to be replaced.

“But there is still plenty of time to get things right.”

Walton & Hersham’s next three matches: July 23 Guildford City (a), 25 Molesey (a), Aug 1 East Grinstead (a)