Martin Allen says he is targeting two more players in ‘key positions’ but would not confirm what they were when asked.

The Bees head coach ran the rule over six trialists against Peterborough United on Saturday and has since released former Southport striker Vinny Mukendi and ex-Chelsea and Hendon midfielder Archange Nkumu.

Striker Charlie MacDonald, central midfielder Gavin Mahon and centre-backs Will Antwi and Ramil Sheriff have all been retained ahead of Tuesday’s friendly with Stevenage.

Earlier in the week Allen revealed he had “verbally agreed” to sign another striker and confirmed the player had featured on Saturday.

Whilst Allen refused to be drawn on the identity of the forward, 33-year-old MacDonald was the only other striker involved in the 1-0 defeat at The Hive.

Reflecting on his squad composition ahead of the new season, Allen said: “There’s a couple of positions we do quite obviously need strengthening and we’ll have to look at those with the chairman and see what we can afford and what we can’t afford and then we’ll see what we can get.

“I’m sitting down and chatting on a regular basis with the chairman and looking at the budget and how to work it to the best we can to get a good team.”

Former Bee Ahmed Abdulla, who was released after making 24 appearances for Barnet last term, came on as a second-half replacement for Nkumu and Allen admitted the midfielder was in his thoughts.

“He can play that position very well as we saw him do at the end of last season, he came on to help us win a game. He’s just got back from being with his family and I always knew he was going to be coming back in to train with us,” explained Allen.

“Until I get the other two key players in and signed, I need to work out with the chairman what the budget is and what we can afford to pay the other players.”