WELLING assistant manager Barry Ashby has downplayed a story suggesting the Wings have already snapped up St Albans striker Lamine Sagna.

The 21-year-old has been training with the club for a couple of weeks now, starting with the reserves before taking part in first team preparations.

He was at last night’s training session and is expected to be involved again tomorrow evening, although suggestions elsewhere he has already signed may be premature.

Ashby said: “We haven’t done any deal yet as far as I’m aware.

“Lamine is a very powerful, quick boy and we’ve been taking a look at him.

“He trained with the reserves initially but has now started getting involved with the first team.

“We are keeping our options open and he is in again for training on Thursday.”

Welling’s search for a striker will come as no surprise to fans following the return of the prolific Andy Pugh to Gillingham, with the player subsequently going on to link up with Histon in a one-month loan deal.

However, Ashby denied Pugh’s absence had been a major factor in last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat against Bath, the Wings’ first loss in two months.

He said: “I wouldn’t accept that because although anyone who scored a hat-trick in the previous game is going to be missed, we have enough quality in the squad to cope with Andy’s departure.

“Bath are a very organised side and tough to play against, but they are a team who, on our day, we are capable of getting a result against.

“The truth of the matter is we didn’t start playing as we know we can until the start of the second half.

“Looking at the ages within our squad, you come to expect days like that from time to time.”

Welling face another tough test this Saturday when they entertain Havant & Waterlooville.

Ashby said: “It will be a very similar game to the one against Bath because Havant are another well organised side.

“I know it is a cliché but there really are no easy games in this division.

“Just look at Weymouth and the results they’ve had lately.

“They’ve taken a few hidings but then played against some of the top sides and only lost by the odd goal, which isn’t what you would expect.

“Havant are one of the few sides who have been consistent all season and we will be doing some more homework on them between now and Saturday.”

Welling have no fresh injuries but could be boosted by the return of Michael Deane for the Havant clash, which kicks-off at 3pm.