BRADFORD Park Avenue's squad for the imminent season is almost assembled, with manager Mark Bower well ahead in preparation for his first full season with the club.

The former Bantams skipper and Guiseley manager took over just a dozen games into last season, soon after getting the push from Nethermoor after taking them to the top level of non-League football and keeping them there for a second season.

He was given only six games in charge of Guiseley at the start of last term and when he took over at Horsfall Stadium 12 games in, Avenue had no wins on the board, were bottom of the National North table with three points and were out of the FA Cup.

Bower has drafted in some new signings over the summer, including former Guiseley players, has run the rule over several trialists and has given some of the club's academy youngsters first-team experience during friendlies.

"I think we're very close to finalising our squad for the season and there won't be as many trialists from here on," he said.

"The friendly games have come thick and fast and after Albion Sports last Saturday and Ossett Town on Tuesday, a few more of the players have had a full 90 minutes already in one game or another.

"Nicky Wroe and one of the trialists played the full game at Ossett and that was on the back of three or four playing the whole game against Albion. Luca Havern got an hour as he moves up with his fitness but we'll have to monitor everyone.

"We can't risk any niggling injuries because we haven't got the biggest squad and we can't roll on roll off two different sides in all of the friendlies."

One of the last pieces of the jigsaw could be Nicky Boshell. The forward was a key component of Guiseley's promotion-winning side under Bower and a regular for Avenue last term until injury curtailed his season.

Boshell returned to Horsfall for the pre-season work but without the guarantee of a deal and has been working his way back to full fitness since.

Bower said: "Nicky came back with the rest of the players but had been out since February, so there were still a lot of questions. But he's done well in training, got 90 minutes against Albion and more game time at Ossett.

"He's back in the goals, looks sharp and has a good understanding with most of the new signings after playing alongside them at other clubs.

"He has linked up well with the new look squad and we're hoping that Nicky will be part of our squad for the new season – but nothing is settled just yet."