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The Tamworth based left sided player can play either at left back or left wing and joins the club after spending the last four seasons with Sutton Coldfield Town in the Southern League. Club manager Gary Norton was happy with his most recent acquisition. He said: "Sam is a quality left sided player and adds to an area of the squad we have been concerned about during pre-season. He is well established and proven at this level and we are very happy with the addition to the squad."

Norton also revealed that Chris White and Simon Baldwin had also agreed first team terms during the last week. He added: "Chris is an experienced player and we left it late to sign him as we were concerned about his match fitness. There is still work to do in that respect but he brings great experience to the squad. His challenge is to break into the team and gain a regular place in the starting line-up and he is fully aware of that and more than up for that challenge. He's working hard in training and has a great attitude to the game and we are already seeing the benefits in having him around the place rubbing off on the younger lads in training."

On the addition in the goalkeeping department Norton added: "Simon has done very well in both games and training during preseason. He has got work to do in a few aspects of his game and is working hard with Dave Clarke and Gary Belcher (goalkeeping coach). He knows Dave is our current number one choice and has been set the challenge to push Dave as hard as he can for the shirt."

In team news for tomorrow's opening league fixture against Sheffield FC the injury problems seem to be easing with Robbie Banks (ankle), Oliver Hancock (hamstring), Tom Liversage (quad), Gavin Saunders (calf) and Jordi Gough (foot) all coming through training last night to declare themselves fit for selection. Norton will leave it late to decide if Lee Mellon and Nathan Morris will be considered.

Barry Woolley is ruled out for at least the next 6 weeks after dislocating a shoulder last weekend whilst long term injury victim Tom Groves is due to have a scan next week on his knee injury.

Gresley from: Clarke, Hood, Chamberlain, Douglas, Barrett, Slater, Saunders, Lyons, Liversage, Lock, Woodall, Blenkinsopp, Gough, Hancock, Banks, White, Morris, Mellon, Wilson.