Flynn eyes signings after 'tough' summer in hospital

Cheltenham manager Michael Flynn said he is "getting his strength back" after a spell in hospital over the off-season with a stomach infection.

The 44-year-old said he spent three weeks "in and out of hospital" over the past month before returning to the club ahead of the start of pre-season training.

"I've had a bit of a tough summer," Flynn told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"I caught an infection in my stomach - my stomach stopped working. I've been on a drip for three weeks, lost a lot of weight, it's been a bit of a disaster in that regards.

"I'm glad to get back to a little bit of normality and slowly put the weight back on and get my strength back. It's good to be around the players and staff."

Flynn is into his second pre-season at Cheltenham after the club finished 15th in League Two in 2024-25, his first campaign in charge.

He said the Robins were "very close" to making their first signings of the transfer window but that they were struggling to compete with the money being spent by rival clubs.

"We're still going to need another six to eight - a lot of them will be loans," Flynn said.

"We've been working extremely hard, we've been out-priced. We tried our hardest to keep Sam Stubbs, other players of his level, but we're just completely priced out of it.

"There's a lot of money going round. When you look at the deal MK Dons have done for Aaron Collins, that is basically 75% of our whole budget on one player. That goes to show what we're up against."

Flynn was however hopeful the club would keep hold of defender Arkell Jude-Boyd, midfielder Ethan Archer and winger Jordan Thomas after the trio impressed during their first seasons at the club.

"I think they might be, it's down to them now, you can't be a one-season wonder, I've told them," Flynn said.

"They've got to get their heads down and replicate or improve on what they did last season. When you back one season up to two, then that's when you do get your better moves."

Flynn was also optimistic about the possible takeover of the club by former Burnley chairman Mike Garlick, who entered a period of exclusivity with the Robins this month.

The club announced in October it was looking for "substantial" investment and Flynn said he was happy Garlick had a strong footballing background.

"I've got a lot of faith in David [Bloxham, chairman] and Paul Godfrey, Clive [Gowing] and John Murphy [directors] to make sure that this goes smoothly and as quick as possible," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting Mike and sitting down with him."