Newtown returned to pre-season training this weekend with a familiar looking squad which is still yet to be finalised by manager Chris Hughes.
The Robins manager welcomed back many of last season’s faces along with a handful of trialists, who Hughes will be running his eye over in coming weeks.
Promising full-back Callum Roberts was amongst those who took part in the two hour session at Latham Park after turning his loan switch from Shrewsbury into a permanent move this summer.
Roberts initially joined Newtown in January and impressed making 10 starts for the Robins, with two substitute appearances
Damien Allen, the club’s other new addition of the off-season, is yet to join up with the squad but Hughes has been encouraged by his two additions to the squad so far.
“We have two ends of the spectrum with a young lad finding his way, and an experienced lad who has been there and done it,” Hughes said.
“A couple of years ago signing someone like Damien would have been unheard of for us, that shows how far we have come and progressed.
“Callum has been with us for four or five months and knows how we operate and we will be expected a big season from him next season.”
Midfielder Jay Denny and winger Joe Kenton Dave Jones, Craig Williams, Jojo Harries, Kieran Mills-Evans, Neil Mitchell, Alex Fletcher and Nick Rushton. Left-sided player Jason Price, 29, will not be returning to the club after deciding to retire following successive injuries.
“It was good to get the lads in again, we had a good session with good numbers and we are in a good position, ” added Hughes. “We will look to build towards the first game, we’ve got the cobwebs off and we will be building towards that.
“We have some lads signed on and had some trialists in today who we will take a look at for two weeks.
“A few lads are away today and that is what pre-season is, it starts slow and then we build towards that first game.”
Newtown’s pre-season schedule:
Saturday July 14 – Newtown vs Denbigh Town KO 2.30pm
Tuesday July 17 – Newtown vs Shrewsbury Town KO 7.45pm
Saturday July 21 – FC Oswestry Town vs Newtown KO 2pm
Saturday July 28 – Halesowen Town vs Newtown KO 3pm
Tuesday July 31 – Newtown vs Llanrhaeadr KO 7.45pm
Saturday August 4 – Newtown vs Hednesford Town KO 2.30pm
Featured image courtesy of Newtown AFC/Mike Sheridan.
