EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry says he is just one player short of completing his squad after signings three trialists this week.

Coventry has brought in former Gillingham midfielder Michael Freiter, former loanee and ex Dagenham & Redbridge full-back Jimmy Nottage and young talent Jamie Age, who has caught Coventry’s eye during pre-season, having come through a football academy, coached by Coventry at Corringham’s Gable Hall School.

The trio will now bid to help Rocks consolidate their position in the National League South this season, while Coventry remains in the hunt for a centre-half – who could be signed by the end of the day.

“I am very pleased with the squad I have assembled,” said Coventry. “When you come up you need to improve it and we certainly have done that, although I still need a centre-half.

“Age is a young player I have had with me for the last three years at my college scheme at Gable Hall. I have always known has loads of ability and he has been good this pre-season.

“Michael comes from Gillingham and he is someone I have been impressed with. He is young and wants to get back into the professional game and sees this as a possible route which is fine for me. I believe he has a lot to offer.

“I had to make a decision on Jimmy as he has done very well for me so I made this call. When you bring in boys who have just come out of professional football you have to assess how many minutes they will get as they need to be playing.

“(Midfielder) Kai Heather I was close to taking but I just wasn’t sure how many minutes he would get. It wouldn't have been fair.”

Freiter, Nottage and Age join Lukas Lidakevicius, Lee Burns, Joe Ellul, Teddy Nesbitt, Reece Harris, Joe Gardner, Sammy Knott, Kye Ruel, George Craddock, Harry Honesty, Ben Wood, Ryan Sammons, Sam Higgins, James Walker, Ben Marlow and Tom Wraight.

Coventry confirmed Ruel would be out for the next six weeks as he continues his rehabilitation after breaking his leg in the Ryman Premier League play-offs last season.