Farsley are champing at the bit as they look to get their first pre-season game under their belts when Leeds United visit Throstle Nest on Saturday.

It will also be the npower Championship club’s first run out and a chance for manager Brian McDermott to oversee his revamped squad.

The former Reading boss took over from Neil Warnock towards the end of the last campaign and he has made changes to his players.

Farsley boss Neil Parsley also has new signings to cast an eye over, and said: "Leeds have informed us they are sending their senior players, and I expect them to field two teams as they have a big squad.

"Our full quota is available so it should be a good spectacle and we are expecting a good crowd. I think there will be a lot of new faces on show and it is a very good game for our club to get.

"If the players are not up for this one, then they are in the wrong job, I want to give all of the lads at least half a game. There is always something about the first game back but this will be something special, even for a friendly."

The following day sees Bradford Park Avenue opening their pre-season fixtures with a home match against a Pakistan XI.

Bradford boss John Deacey has bolstered his squad for the coming campaign and is looking forward to getting them all involved in the prestigious friendly.

Avenue announced seven new signings in midweek, including Chib Chilaka, Nicky Boshell and Adam Quinn.

Deacey said: "A lot of the new players will be involved in this highly-anticipated game but Chris Howard is on holiday and Paul Bowland has a coaching course that he has to do so they will miss out on Sunday.

"‘Everybody has been looking forward to this game and I hope it will be good for entertainment value. It should be given the way we play football and the players that the Pakistan side have in their squad."

The match is supporting the charity the White Ribbon Foundation, and some of the gate receipts will go directly to the organisation that tackles domestic violence against women.