Ballinamallard United manager Gavin Dykes has brought his squad additions to five with the signings of Ciaran Martyn and Jonathan Leddy while the Mallards boss is also hopeful of bringing in a defender before the start of the season.

Martyn, who won two Irish Cups with Glenavon, will bring added Premiership experience to the squad and is a player that Dykes knows well having managed the midfielder at Derry City.

“I’ve been chasing him for a while now,” said Dykes. “I know Ciaran a long time, I managed him at Derry and he has a proven track record. He has won two Irish Cups at Glenavon and he has won things with Derry. He is an exceptionally fit lad, he guested for us on Saturday against Loughgall and we are glad to get him on board and get him signed. He will give us an option for goals from midfield which is something that I want to try and get. It has been a lot of hard work but I’m just delighted to have it done,” he added.

And Dykes has also signed former Republic of Ireland youth international Jonathan Leddy who has impressed on trial.

“Jonathan was at Ipswich but he hasn’t played in a while. We have had him in on trial and he has done quite well so I’m glad to say that we have reached an agreement with him. He gives us options as he can play left back, left side of centre back and the middle of the pitch. He’s very good on the ball, I like what I see with him and he has a bit of quality,” stated Dykes.

Indeed, Dykes is not done there as he is targeting a defender before the season gets underway.

“I’m hoping maybe to then bring in one more before the start of the league, I would like to get a defensive player in.”

The Mallards boss went on to praise the club’s board for backing him in the market.

“The board have been fantastic,” he said. “I’ve asked them to stretch the budget a bit and they have done that, I couldn’t speak highly enough of them.

“I think it is going to be harder to stay in the division than it was last year. Warrenpoint have signed a load of players, Carrick have strengthened as well so it is going to be a huge challenge but I think that if we can get the squad that I want and if I can get the central defender that I want then I think we will be alright,” he commented.

Ballinamallard lost 2-1 to Loughgall at Ferney Park on Saturday in their latest pre-season friendly and Dykes insists that results are not important in pre-season.

“I look at pre-season and it is about getting players fit, trying to stay injury free and getting a look at players.

“Results don’t bother me. I was really happy with the shape the players came back in, they are all working hard at their programmes and we now have an idea of our squad so from now on it is down to business.

“ The next two weeks is when we do our work and decide on how we want to play and our shape. To be honest I wish the league was starting now because since the season finished last year it has been a long hard trudge,” he added.

The Mallards do have a couple of injury concerns at present but Dykes is hopeful that they will all clear up before the season opener against Glentoran on February 12 at Ferney Park.

“Colm McLoughlin done his ankle so he is touch and go for the kick off but hopefully he will be alright. Shane McGinty and Ryan McConnell have knocks, Brushie has a slight problem but I hope the majority of them will take part in Friday night’s training,” he said.