CHIPPENHAM Town boss Steve White faces some difficult decisions today ahead of his side's opening Southern League Premier Division match at Dunstable Town tomorrow.

Last night's training session was his last chance to cast an eye over the summer trialists and it is now time to finalise his squad for the coming campaign.

Due to budget cuts, White has been unable to spend the money some of his rivals will have at their disposal this season and he admits this will have a huge bearing on who he decides to sign.

He said: "It was very important for me to give all the trialists a fair crack of the whip and to give them until the end of pre-season to prove themselves.

"I have to make the decisions by the weekend and so after Thursday night's training session it is decision time. It is only fair that we let them know soon so we don't string them along and also I want my squad ready for the new season."

One trialist who has impressed enough to earn a contract offer from White is Bridgwater Town midfielder Ben Kirk, but agreeing compensation with the Somerset club is proving a stumbling block.

Because the club still have a one-year option on him, Chippenham are being asked to pay a four-figure sum to have him released, which White admits is way out of their price range.

But he has not given up hope and is still in negotiations with Bridgwater in an attempt to bring him on board. If the negotiations fail, White is likely to turn to midfielder Jamie Bradford, who has also impressed.

Nigerian striker Joe O'Chuko is likely to be retained while right-winger Matthew Hill seems set to miss out.

The second goalkeeping slot behind Mark Hervin is between Chris Giannangelo and Chris Astley and White said that decision would be purely down to financial factors.

White does not want to put too much pressure on his side and admits the small size of his squad could prove a problem.

He said: "If we can get anywhere near the big boys in this league, who have twice the budget we do, then we will have done very well.

"I have set them a target of getting in the top eight by Christmas and then pushing and hopefully finishing in the top five, and getting a play-off position.

"We are not going to put ourselves under pressure by pushing the boat out and spending money on players we can't afford. We will work within the budget.

"If I could have had 18 players I would have been very happy but it looks as though I will have to make do with 16 or 17 and because of our lack of strength of depth we may face a problem with injuries later on.

"I would be happy if I could bring in an out and out striker but we can't at the moment. That is the one player we have not got, although we do have three strikers who are firing on all cylinders and looking full of goals."

The key departures from Hardenhuish this summer have been defenders Tom Gould and Colin Towler and striker Charlie Griffin, while Gary Thorne and Matthew McEntegart have been brought in.

The Bluebirds entertain Solihull Borough on Tuesday night.