Ashfield boss John Conlin says the opening of pre-season hostilities next weekend will be a breeze compared to his involvement in the close season Junior transfer scene.

Previous Saracen Park gaffer Stevie Rankin's departure to Irvine Meadow at the end of last season sparked a mass exodus of players – 12 at the last count – with seven following the popular Rankin to Meadow Park alone.

Left to pick up the pieces was seasoned gaffer John (this is his second stint in charge of the famous old Glasgow club) and he has faced a tough task in trying to patch and rebuild a decimated squad with next to no transfer money.

A complement of fully 18 players went through their pre-season training paces in midweek and Conlin said: "It's very pleasing that we have no shortage of bodies in and around the place, but now comes the real test in finding out if the quality is there.

"We only have 10 signed players at this juncture and the intention is to cast our eye over a number of trialists, starting with the Kilbirnie tournament next weekend in which we face a stiff test in going up against the host club in our opening game.

"There are other irons in the fire because talks are still ongoing with several other Junior players and I'm very hopeful deals can be thrashed out to bring them on board."

Turning to his confirmed captures, John waxed lyrically about the potential in his little and large striking partnership of ex-Glasgow Perthshire ace Davie Kirkwood and Joe Barclay, who played for both Kilsyth Rangers and Petershill last season.

He said: "I'm too long in the tooth to get carried away with how guys are shaping up in training kickabouts and the like, however Davie and Joe do look the part when you see them working together.

"Davie has come here after many years at the Shire and he provides us with a much-needed physical presence up front, while Joe is one of those players who just never stops running and is a pest to defenders.

"It's also pleasing to have Jamie O'Boyle, Darren O'Donnell and Sean McGhee returning to the club as I can see them having big roles to play alongside linchpins who have been here for years like Ryan Cairley and Tony Chalmers.

"Among the younger players arriving at the club are Grant Dickie, a forward loaned out to us by Clyde, as well as my former Knightswood Under-21s centre-half Iain McDonald who has all the ball-winning attributes needed to establish himself in the Juniors.

"And we're excited about the potential shown by midfielder Jim Gilmartin who looks ready- made for this level of the game after playing as a trialist for Yoker against Kello Rovers last season and scoring two goals.

"So all told we are happy with how things are shaping up even though there a lot of pieces to our jigsaw still to be put in place."

Meanwhile, new Lanark United boss Brian Johnston has signed John McFarlane (Cambuslang Rangers), Chris Walter (Claremont Amateurs) and Connor Johnstone (East Kilbride Thistle).