Boreham Wood manager Ian Allinson is hopeful of signing one or two players before this weekend as the club step up their preparation for their first National League campaign.

Wood brought in versatile defender Danny Woodards this week and Allinson is optimistic of adding to the squad imminently as he looks to increase his playing options following last season’s promotion.

Allinson said: “We’re talking to lots of players at the moment and I’m hopeful we can bring in another couple before the weekend.

“We want to add a bit more experience with players that know the league because our players haven’t been in it before so no-one knows how we will handle it yet.”

Their latest signing is Woodards after the free agent left Tranmere Rovers in January. The 31-year-old started his career at Chelsea before spells with Exeter City and Crewe Alexandra.

The defender moved to MK Dons in 2009 before spending three seasons at Bristol Rovers from 2011.

Woodards joined Tranmere last summer but only made six appearances during a six-month deal after suffering a metatarsal injury.

He will combine his role as a player with coaching responsibilities developing under assistant manager and academy director Luke Garrard.

Allinson said: “He is a good replacement for Ben Herd. Although he is likely to slot in there he can play right across the back four and also in midfield as well.

“He has got massive experience having played over 250 games in the Football League and that is what we were looking for.

“We bided our time because we wanted to get the right player and Danny fits the bill with his experience and ability to play in a number of positions.”

Striker Lee Angol’s future remains no clearer after he reportedly rejected a contract offer from Luton Town.

The 20-year-old was a huge success on loan at Wood last season where he scored 25 goals to help the team win promotion.

Allinson said: “Lee is still at Luton so we can’t do anything until they both decide what they want to do.

“We can’t get involved because he is a Luton player.”

Angol has been linked with a move to West Ham United and Crystal Palace but Allinson believes the striker would be better served spending more time getting experience in the lower leagues.

The Wood boss said: “He probably needs another year or two at this level. I don’t think playing Under-21 football would help his career and if anything it could make him go backwards.”