Avenue have landed a prestigious friendly against neighbours City's Coca-Cola League Two rivals Stockport County.

The match will take place at Horsfall Stadium on Monday (7.45pm) and fans can watch the game for a fiver.

Another attraction for the Avenue supporters is that it should be new signing Paul Stoneman's home debut.

"I'm delighted that Stockport have agreed to the fixture and pleased for everyone that they didn't want to play it behind closed doors," said Avenue manager Benny Phillips.

"It is a win all-round situation. We get a decent game instead of just another training session, the players get the chance to play against full-timers and the club enhances its links with Stockport.

"It will be a young side that they send but I have a lot of contacts at County and the lads who will be in their squad are good. Many of them have had first-team experience, this season and last.

"We almost landed one of their players on loan earlier in the season - an exciting winger with good pace and an eye for goal.

"Just before he was due to come to us for a month, County had a few injuries and he ended up becoming a regular in their 16-man squad.

"I haven't given up on seeing him or even another of Stockport's young pros in an Avenue shirt this season."

Phillips believes the friendly could open doors for that to happen.

"Monday's match will do our cause no harm at all. It will be nice to extend our hospitality to Stockport, show them how we play and what any potential loan signings will be letting themselves in for.

"It's a chance to show them what a good level they will be playing at."

Phillips is also expecting good things from his new centre back Stoneman. With one of his preferred two suspended and the other injured for today's game at Newcastle Blue Star, he elected to enlist the former Halifax Town man.

He said: "Paul was Halifax captain and has a wealth of experience. I haven't brought him in as a stop gap, he is a permanent signing.

"Once Matt Daly and Lincoln Adams are back in the frame it will keep the competition for places at an intense level."