Liversedge manager Steve Newton is still close to his old club and that has helped him keep his current squad in top condition.

Newton arrived at Clayborn from Horsfall Stadium, where he was reserve-team manager for UniBond League outfit Bradford Park Avenue.

He was well thought of at Avenue, taking over first-team affairs as caretaker for a spell, and still has many friends there.

Newton said: "I arranged a friendly with Avenue the other night instead of a training session. It suits me and my club and Avenue as well.

"We had Craig Sugden looking to get involved in a game on his comeback from injury and one or two trialists we wanted to look at. There are also a couple of lads who played for Sedge a few seasons ago and have asked to come back to the club.

"I'm happy to give them all a chance but the main thing is getting games in rather than training. We have a deep squad and one of the things I need to do is make sure they are all happy and remain involved."

Newton accepts that football is a squad game at every level these days and his club are no different.

He said: "We will need all of these players at some point over the season. The lads will definitely get their chance of a run in the first team.

"We dropped to fourth place due to other results in midweek while we weren't playing but we have games in hand. We want promotion for this club and the UniBond League is our aim.

"We don't know where we have to finish to achieve that. Last season four went up from our division and, with more restructuring of the UniBond North and South divisions next closed-season, nothing is cut and dried."

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