CITY are still on course to land some of their leading targets in time for the new season, according to Mark Lawn.

Phil Parkinson's squad are light on numbers as they head into the opening friendly at Guiseley on Saturday.

The goalkeeper position has got to be sorted, although Jon McLaughlin continues to train with the club, and there are vacancies on both wings.

Parkinson has captured five players so far as well as re-signing defenders Stephen Darby, Rory McArdle and James Meredith. But with seven gone from the side that finished last season, the Valley Parade ranks still need beefing up.

The City chief plans to hit the loan route but will have to wait for the green light from the clubs concerned before they are prepared to let the players go.

But Lawn stressed that the names City are patiently chasing were high on their wanted list.

The joint-chairman said: "I think it's a big season for Phil. He realises he's got his squad together and who he wants.

"There are a couple more to come in but we might have to wait for them. We need to make sure we get the right people.

"But you look at the ones he's after and his key targets are still there and available. He's told me who he fancies.

"Some of them may have gone but we don't just have a list of one name.You make a list of three or four and there are still players around who we are interested in."

Parkinson is currently running the rule over a couple of trialists, who could get an outing at Nethermoor.

Meredith will be involved after returning to the fold this week and committing himself to a further one-year deal.

The Australian left back had been looking elsewhere after rejecting City's first offer and Lawn cited his case as an example of the club's patient approach paying off.

He said: "We didn't rush it and we've got who we wanted. We wanted James back and now he's here.

"If you do take your time, sometimes you do get what you want and improve the squad as well.

"Alan Sheehan's certainly done that and to have the two of them fighting for that one position is an excellent partnership."