Chippa United coach Clinton Larsen has been working around the clock in a bid to strengthen his team ahead of the new Absa Premiership season.To avoid the relegation battle headache of last season, the former Bloemfontein Celtic mentor has taken no time out.While the players are on holiday, he said his technical team had continued to work.“We have been working every day behind the scenes, negotiating with players,” Larsen said on Tuesday.“We want to reinforce in the right areas and with the quality we need, we need to talk to teams, agents and players.“We have been doing that every single day to try to make sure that we secure the right players for the club.“From the day the season closed until today it’s been preparations behind the scenes, it’s been work.”The Port Elizabeth professional soccer side finished 12th on the log last season, just three points away from relegated Free State Stars.Larsen took over a relegation-threatened Chilli Boys halfway through the season.After surviving his very first relegation battle after years in coaching, the coach vowed to never go through it again.Larsen remained tightlipped when asked for names of new signings and the players the team would be releasing.However, he said he was looking at adding five to six players and releasing the same number.“We are negotiating with a few players.“It’s a bit premature to divulge the names because it’s a sensitive time – a lot of teams are competing for players.“So we would not like to mention the players we are talking to, but in seven to 10 days I am sure we will be able to divulge the names.”Asked whether there were any key positions that were a priority, the coach said all the departments needed strengthening.“The goalkeeping, defence and strike force – we will definitely be bringing in players in all those departments.Chippa chief operations officer Lukhanyo Mzinzi has already confirmed the sale of midfielder Tebogo Tlolane to Orlando Pirates.The team has also been linked to former players Abel Mabaso and Linda Mntambo, who are contracted to Pirates.The Chilli Boys return to the Bay on Sunday June 23 to start preparing for the new season.