Paul Cook has added a fifth new signing to his Stanley squad in Luke Clark – but admitted he was disappointed to miss out on Brett Ormerod.

Clark, 18, has joined from Preston to link up with another former North End midfielder George Miller. With Lewis Hatch and Bohan Dixon already signed up, Cook’s squad is beginning to take shape.

But he admitted missing out on 35-year-old Accrington-born striker Ormerod – who has signed a two-year deal with Blue Square Premier Wrexham – was a blow.

"We spoke to Brett and he had a decision between us and a number of clubs," said Cook.

"We wanted to sign him as he is a good player, with experience, and he would have been a good influence on the rest of the squad.

"But we always know people can offer more money than us and he has got a two-year deal so now we just move on. It’s disappointing but that’s football."

Midfielder Clark, who played a number of first team games at Deepdale, was persuaded to sign up after talking to the Reds boss: "The manager wants to play football the way it should be played – passing the ball – and who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? That’s what stood out for me when he told me of his plans for the season.

"It was the right decision all around and I want to get a place in the side and be a part of doing well at the club.

"The manager has said he wants to win the league and, with the way he wants us to play football and the players we have here, I don’t see why we can’t go for promotion."

Cook isn’t short of trialists with a number at the club – although he has already whittled them down since returning to training on Monday.

Still with the Reds are, among others, former Rochdale right winger Adam Rundle and ex-Derby left winger Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.

"We will have a look at the trialists – you hope that someone has slipped under the radar elsewhere and we can snap them up," said the Stanley boss.

"It’s obvious we need strikers, wide players and a left back. We are short on the left side of the pitch and we like a balance in the team so that’s one of our priorities."

Stanley’s left back of last season Kevin McIntyre has joined John Coleman at Rochdale while Sean Hessey has been linked with Barrow.

"It’s a shame with Sean as I didn’t get to see him play because he was injured when I arrived and it’s always been a difficult one," said Cook. "He has had a fantastic career and we wish him well.

"For Kevin, managers tend to go back to their previous clubs for players as they know them and we wish him well.

"The aim for us now is to get a settled team as quickly as possible to work on things for the new season but we know it doesn’t happen like that and we have to be patient.

"We have said all along we are lacking experienced players who can still do a job on the pitch but these type of players may be sitting and waiting on deals – and we may pick one up later. We also have to use the loan market well.

"Some clubs are making high bids for players now and some are spending quickly and that will always happen but, as Accrington have proved in the past, it doesn’t necessarily bring success."

Cook said he expects midfielder Charlie Barnett to sign –he was offered a contract at the end of last season and is back in training with the Reds.

But there was no sign of Bryan Hughes and Cook said: "We haven’t reached an agreement with Bryan so it looks dead but that’s not to say it won’t change."

Dean Winnard is back in contention after an operation on both ankles in January but Cook expects Luke Joyce to carry on with the captaincy.

"I have only really known Luke as captain since I have been here but we have talked about it," said Cook.

"Luke is a great example of how to conduct yourself on and off the pitch, he is a great servant to the club and a quality player.

"I don’t set a lot of store about captains and such like though."

Meanwhile the Reds boss is maintaining, despite the likes of Fleetwood spending big so far and Stanley again being tipped to battle at the bottom by the bookmakers, that he still sees Stanley top of the pile.

"We will set out to win the league like we do every year," added Cook.

"Sometimes you see teams who can get beat before they even get on the pitch but me and Leam (Richardson) will make sure that doesn’t happen here.

"To just stay up is not right, we want success and our job is to finish as high as we can so we start with the ultimate aim."