It promises to be a busy week ahead for Silkmen boss Keith Alexander as he gets the chance to have a look at his newly assembled squad for the very first time.

The players report back for pre-season on Wednesday and will head to the club's new training facilities at Egerton. And according to Keith there is every chance those already signed will be strengthened by the arrival of more new signings.

"I said last week that things would start to get a bit busier on the signings front once pre-season had started," explained Keith. "Most clubs report back at the start of July and it tends to focus minds. Players want their futures sorted and you can expect a lot of activity around the clubs this week I am guessing."

"I am extremely confident that we will be just as busy as most clubs and by the end of the week we will have added to our ranks, and be close to where I want to be for the start of the new season."

"And of course I fully intend to use the pre-season period to have a look at a few more players. The likes of Patrece Liburd, who I thought did well for us last season, have been invited to train with us and I'll extend an invitation to a few more as well."

"With the first friendly game only a matter of weeks away it's important we have as settled a squad as early as we can into the pre-season. That's the plan but it also makes sense to leave a few places open to give you a little bit of flexibility."

"And of course in having a settled squad, it allows you to work hard on fitness and look at likely team formations. The Northampton game is less than six weeks away now and the hard work we put in over the next couple of weeks will be effort well spent."

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