Page sets about search to add '˜quality' signings to Cobblers squad

Page has made it clear it is his intention to keep every member of the Cobblers squad as he gears up for the new Sky Bet League One season, with his emphasis very much on adding strength to what he already has.

Town currently have 16 players contracted for 12 more months at least, and all of them were signed by Wilder.

It is the fear of many Cobblers fans that their former boss may now return to try and sign one or two of them for his new club.

And asked what he can do if Wilder did approach the club to try and sign players, Page admitted: “Not a lot.

“Chris has moved on and has gone to another, big, fantastic football club and I wish him all the best with that.

“It is out of our hands if he comes in and poaches some of our players.

“We want to keep all of the players, of course we do, and we want to add quality to it.”

And Page, who has already offered a new deal to out-of-contract midfielder Danny Rose, has admitted he may look to his former club as he tries to find that extra quality he is after.

But he will also be trying to attract players from other clubs that have impressed him while playing against Port Vale over the past couple of seasons.

Asked if he is considering trying to attract any of his former players at Vale Park, Page said: “There is going to be a lot said about that, and I think the group I had last season was absolutely tremendous and there is definitely some quality there.

“But we are open to having a look at what’s out there, and not just from Port Vale where I have been, but other clubs in the division as well and players that have impressed me and have an understanding of what is required at that level.

“There will be conversations between me and the chairman now and we will do what is right for this club and bring quality in.”