DEFENDER Alan Sheehan can make an impact for City at both ends of the field, according to fellow new boy Gary Liddle.

The two recruits are lined up for some involvement in the opening friendly at Guiseley this afternoon.

Fans will get their first glimpse of Sheehan and Liddle as well as the other summer signings Billy Knott and Billy Clarke in the traditional curtain-raiser at Nethermoor.

Left back Sheehan followed Liddle to Valley Parade after the pair had been instrumental in helping Notts County stay in League One.

Sheehan's arrival will provide strong competition to James Meredith for the starting slot and midfielder Liddle reckons the Irishman can prove just as handy for the team going forward.

Liddle said: "Sheez guarantees a good ten assists a season with his dead-ball deliveries. He possesses a great left foot.

"He also scored seven goals last season, albeit most of those were free-kicks and penalties – but you still need to score them.

"I thought I'd got rid of him when I came here! But he's a good lad, a very good left back, and I had nothing but good words to say when the manager asked me about him.

"I think he's a terrific acquisition for the football club and you'll see that."

Sheehan rounded off the campaign by scoring in the final two games, signing off with a penalty at Oldham that rubber-stamped the Magpies' League One status.

County boss Shaun Derry, who gave Sheehan the captain's armband in February, believes the former Leeds and Leicester defender possesses the ability to be playing at a higher level.

Notts were keen to hang on to Sheehan and Liddle after beating the drop on the final day of the season. But having completed the survival mission, Liddle thought it was the right time to move on.

He said: "Staying up last year was massive and the manager, Shaun Derry, and Greg Abbott deserve a lot of credit. We worked so hard for them.

"We didn't play the most attractive football but picked up a lot of results in the final few months and got the job done.

"It finished a good two years for me there and I won plenty of personal accolades as well, which were nice to pick up.

"But I felt I needed a new challenge and now I can't wait to get going."