Promising youngsters will be handed chance to impress in pre-season.

Steve Davis says he will give his young players a chance to stake their claim for involvement with the first-team during our pre-season games. The Alex boss says he will give the likes of the emerging Tommy Lowery and Ollie Finney every chance to see if they can make that step up and earn themselves a squad number.

Second-year scholars Owen Dale and Harry Pickering could also feature for the first team during pre-season after signing professional terms in March.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “The young players will have to earn their shirt and place in the first-team. I want to give them that incentive.

“Tommy is a terrific footballer and we have to decide what is his best position is. Ollie is a midfield player with good ability. He has come through with Kirk and Ainley and could be another one to push on.

“We will see if they can step up in the pre-season games, we will have a better idea then.

“I will then decide if they are better off staying with Kenny and Belly and training with them or if they are ready to step up.”