2 players that could save Stockport County six figures | OneFootball

The pair could save the Hatters a considerable sum in the transfer market

Highlights

Stockport County have already entered the market this summer for a couple of young players, but savings elsewhere in the squad could be made by utilising those already in the Edgeley Park ranks.

The Hatters are putting a renewed focus on youth when looking for signings during this window, but there are already some in the building that will save County splashing further funds on those positions.

Both candidates on this list already have experience in the first team, but placing further trust in them could save the Hatters a fortune in quality squad players.

Here, FLW looks at two young players that could save County a lot of money...

He has long been touted as one of the most promising young prospects at Edgeley Park, but Cody Johnson is yet to properly stamp his name on the first team.

The 20-year-old had a strong start to last season after his curtailed Rochdale loan saw him thrown in against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup for County before picking up two subsequent starts in League Two in August.

It seemed he had got his break and was building his way into Dave Challinor's first-team plans, but he would make just two further league appearances for County, along with a handful of Bristol Street Motors Trophy outings and a later loan move to National League North side Scarborough Athletic.

Now in League One, we're unlikely to see Johnson as a key figure from the off for Stockport next term but, as he has proven against the likes of Wednesday, he is not a player to get overawed by strong opposition and can more than hold his own.

With the likes of Antoni Sarcevic, Ryan Crosdale and Connor Lemonhaigh Evans all departing the midfield unit this summer, gaps may begin to open up and Johnson is ready to support the remaining central cast. He would save a lot of money compared to looking externally for a squad option to deputise for the regular starters.

Jack Stretton

Jack Stretton likely would have been more woven into the senior squad at this point had it not been for an unfortunate ACL injury he sustained in pre-season last year, ruling him out of the entire 2023/24 season.

Having first arrived at the then National League side on loan in 2020/21 from Derby County, Stretton impressed enough for the club to come back in January 2023 to agree a permanent deal.

He started 15 league games in the second half of the regular season that year and famously scored a dramatic leveller in extra-time of County's play-off semi-final second leg against Salford City, sending the game to penalties, where County won their ticket to Wembley.

Challinor's squad is relatively strong in attacking positions and further reinforcements have arrived, but there can be no greater illustration of Stretton still being able to make an impact as a deputy than his contribution against Salford.

Kyle Wootton and Tanto Olaofe are the only other two out-and-out strikers in the side. With Challinor no stranger to fielding two forwards, minutes will be available to a third man off the bench and occasionally from the start due to squad rotations and potential injuries.