Lee Bell is hopeful that the Alex players can now take their pre-season from into the new season starting with the visit of Hereford United on Saturday. Bell, who has returned to his former club for a second spell this summer, is convinced that the club have enough potential to be genuine contenders for a top seven finish this season.

The summer capture from Macclesfield told the club's official web-site: "The football has been good in pre-season and the most pleasing thing is that we haven't conceded to many goals. We looked better defensively and the work we have done out on the training is beginning to pay off.

"We have also work on our attacking play and are creating chances. We just need to be a more clinical in front of goal to kill teams off a bit quicker than we have been doing. I'm sure that will come with more practice and a bit more confidence.

"The boys are buzzing here and the atmosphere is good. Results in pre-season do not count too much but it is always better to be winning them than losing them. It shows that the work we have been is working and we will go into the first game against Hereford full of confidence.

Bell, who will share the captain's armband with David Artell and Ash Westwood said: "We are at home in front of our own fans and hopefully they will come out and get behind us and help us make a great start to the season."