The Mile End Stadium club manager also debated where their FA Cup game with Ilford will be played

Sporting Bengal United manager Imrul Gazi is keen to improve the squad depth at the club and is also looking to sign a goalkeeper and centre back ahead of the new Essex Senior League season.

The upcoming campaign starts on August 4 and the Mile End Stadium club will be eager to kick on after finishing 10th during the 2017/18 term.

It was a superb achievement for Bengal, but now Gazi and his management team are looking to the future.

He said: “We are looking for a goalkeeper and centre back, so if any players fancy trying out for us get in touch.

“Our squad lacked the quality and depth some of the other clubs have, so again for us to finish in the top-10 was a remarkable achievement.

“For the last 10 games of the season it was basically the same 12 to 13 players week in, week out and that is what made the difference.

“The consistency we had going into the last nine weeks helped us finish strong and go unbeaten in April, so that is testament to the team we have.”

Like at the start of most seasons, Bengal will begin the campaign on the road with Mile End Stadium unavailable until halfway through August.

Gazi’s team are due to face divisional rivals Ilford in the extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup on August 11, but the east Londoners manager is unsure where it will take place.

He added: “Whether it is played at Mile End or Crickfield, I am not sure at the moment because our stadium is not usually available at this time of year.

“The pitch normally becomes available around mid-August, so we are trying to get it available and the pitch looks amazing.

“It looks really lush and really green, but I have also seen the state of Cricklefield and it is a desert, so I am not sure what is going on at Cricklefield.”

Regardless of where the FA Cup game is played, Gazi will hope his team can pick up where they left off and rediscover the winning feeling again next month.