DANNY Heale has backed Canvey Island to challenge near the summit of the Isthmian North after adding further reinforcements to his squad.

The Gulls chief has brought in four new players just days before the start of the new campaign.

Following successful trials, Josh Hutchinson, Jake Jolliffe, Alex Stephenson and Billy Willis have penned deals at the Frost Hire Stadium.

And Heale says he is pleased with the make-up of his squad ahead of Saturday’s opener against Barking.

“We have a good squad and what is important is they are working hard for each other,” he said. “We are ready to go but we needed a bit of strength in depth and we have that now.

“We are without Elliot Warren with an ankle injury, while George Allen has a calf injury so is out for between three and four weeks.

“We needed defensive reinforcements. Alex Stephenson was here for a short spell before and he has done very well in the games he has played for us.

“Jake is 18 and has impressed me. He is one for the future and we look forward to watching him grow with us.

“Billy comes in from Tilbury. He can play at right-back or on the right side of midfield and these three give us good options at the back now.

“Josh has impressed me throughout pre-season and I am pleased we are able to sign him.”

Winger Hutchinson, 22, spent last season with Redbridge in the Essex Senior League, while Stephenson boasts the likes of Billericay Town, Braintree Town and Aveley among his previous clubs.

Jolliffe came through the ranks at AFC Hornchurch and also represented the Essex under-18s.

But Heale said there would also be departures to balance the books before the week is out.

He said: “There will be a bit of movement as we are slightly over budget. I am finalising a few things but we will announce something later this week.

“But in the main I am really pleased with the state of the squad. It has been a good pre-season and we have grown every week which is what you want to see as a manager.

“The shape and fitness levels are improving and we have a young and hungry side who are willing to run through a brick wall for each other.

“It is a slightly awkward time as we need to get going to see where we are at.

“But I back us. With what we have got, we should be there or thereabouts without sounding big time.

“You need luck throughout the season and need to hope players stay in form. But I fancy us.”