Oli Finney admits that any club would suffer a blow when players of the calibre of Ryan Wintle, Perry Ng, Omar Beckles and Harry Pickering depart - but the midfielder says that the club’s new signings have settled in extremely quickly.

Manager David Artell made four quick signings to bolster his squad with defenders’ Kayne Ramsay and Tommie Hoban arrived and they were joined by midfielder Sean MacDonald and forward Christopher Long.

Finney, who recently signed a new contract until 2024, told the club’s official website: “When you lose players like we have then it is a big blow because they were good players but we have bought in four new players in. They have settled in quickly and are good players.

“We have added some older heads to complement the up-and-coming lads and everyone will have a part to play this season. Pre-season has gone well and we want to take that into the new season.

He added: “There are a number of midfield players and the competition is good. That is what you want but I think all the midfielders are different. We all offer something different. Me and Cal (Callum Ainley) are quite similar but I think that whatever midfield we play we can give a good account of ourselves in the league.”