Paul Doswell insists that Bromley’s purchase of Damian Scannell and Jamie Slabber has done Sutton United a favour.

United accepted a combined five-figure fee for the pair, meaning they have followed Jason Brown, Gavin McCallum and Dean Sinclair out the Gander Green Lane door since the end of the season.

Doswell has so far signed just goalkeeper Alan Julian from Dartford, and hired former Gillingham and Hereford man Peter Beadle as his head coach.

However, he is chasing the signatures of a striker, two defenders and a midfielder, and is hoping to tie up the deals next week.

Doswell said: “Bromley offered us a figure, and then came back twice with increased offers and in the end we could not turn it down.

“But Slabs missed the last six weeks of the season with injury and has not long had a double hernia operation, and Damo has been struggling with a groin problem.

“He was OK playing Saturday to Saturday, but was a completely different player if he had to play on a Tuesday as well.

“I was very concerned about Jamie’s fitness in particular, so Bromley have done me a favour in buying them both.

“But they are good friends of mine and I wish them all the best, except when we play Bromley next season.”

One man who is staying is Charlie Clough – the defender signed a year-long extension to his deal keeping him at the Lane until 2016.

However, Doswell revealed that the imposing skipper was on the verge of joining former United head coach Paul Telfer at Indy 11 in the North American Soccer League.

He said: “There was a five-figure sum on the table for Charlie, but it is a sign of his commitment to us that he decided to stay and signed the extension to his deal.

“I know he was bitterly disappointed not to win promotion, so maybe he wants to put that right this time round.”