Arestidou back training with Morecambe after release

Boss Jim Bentley wanted to keep his long-time number two stopper but a budget cut meant Barry Roche’s understudy for the last three years was let go.

He is however back on the training field with the rest of the squad ahead of the first pre-season friendly at Kendal on July 14.

Bentley said: “It was an awkward situation.

“Any club needs two keepers and Stav’s been brilliant for us over the last few years.

“We did want to keep in but for one reason or another out of my control we couldn’t offer him a contract.

“Is he better training with us while he gets himself fit to give himself every possible opportunity if something else comes up and am I happy to do it? I certainly am.

“I think we owe it to him. He’s a good lad, a good professional, great round the lads and he’s in with us for the foreseeable future.”

There are three other trialists currently with The Shrimps – former Preston North End youngster Luke Pritchard, nephew of former Morecambe midfielder Ged Brannan, Kevin Ellison’s brother Ryan, who has left Oldham after battling injury, and ex-Rotherham goalkeeper Tony Thompson.

Bentley’s main concern is now finding a second string stopper with the loan market also an option.

He said: “Obviously the goalkeeping situation’s not been ideal but the board have given me what they can give me.

“I’m pleased with what we’ve got but in an ideal world I’d have another goalkeeper and another outfield player to complement what we’ve got.

“You never know in football. You don’t know what type of loans can pop up, but they’ve got to be the right ones and ones that can affect the first team.

“They won’t be expensive ones that’s certainly the case. They’ll be free loans or ones that are very, very minimal cost to us. That’s the way it is.”