Carden updates on squad as kick-off looms

Paul Carden is still looking to add more faces to his squad ahead of next week’s season opener against Cleethorpes Town, even more so now some players are in the treatment room.

A disappointing performance in the pre-season friendly defeat to Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday night was compounded by injuries to key players, with both Jay Harris and Kallan Murphy forced off in the first half through injury, though Murphy did train on Thursday evening.

Goalkeeper Liam Isherwood took a knock to the head in the second half and is thought to have suffered a concussion, which has been monitored by a specialist and is likely to rule him out of the season opener through FA protocols.

Carden also revealed that defender Matthew Makinson didn’t take to the field at all having picked up a knock during the half-time warm-up.

Speaking after the Vauxhall Motors match, Carden said: “Jay took a heavy whack on the top of his ankle, it’s swollen and pretty sore so that’s a worry.

“Kallan took a kick to the inside of his knee but it’s the outside that’s caused him issues at the minute. Hopefully they’re both impact and they both settle down, hopefully there’s nothing more sinister than that.

“Matty Makinson couldn’t come on because he got injured at half time which just compounded a pretty poor night really.”

Since the game, the Yellows have confirmed the signings of Troy Bourne, Liam Brazier, Dontai Gabidon and Matthew Tweedley, all of whom featured.

The final game of the pre-season programme takes place at home to Buxton on Saturday, with Carden still on the hunt for further signings before Cleethorpes Town come to town for the opening game of the Northern Premier League season.

Carden added: “I still think we need three or four to be honest.

"We’re speaking to a couple that could be significant if we can manage to get them in, and then we’ll just see what comes about because we definitely do need more players, we definitely need another forward."

Skipper Josh Amis has now had surgery on his knee, though it was more complicated than first thought and he is unlikely now to play until after Christmas.

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