GUISELEY joint-manager Russ O'Neill is happy with the club's pre-season preparations as they gear up for the new Vanarama National League North season, with training starting again next Tuesday.

O'Neill and fellow boss Marcus Bignot have good managerial pedigree at non-league level and the former's experience was telling when discussing how the current squad looks.

He said: "At the minute I'm happy to go into pre-season with what we've got and we'll have another look in two weeks.

"A lot can happen in that time. Players tend to sit tight on their contracts early in the summer and then as pre-season begins, things start to develop at different clubs.

"We like to keep our powder dry and if anything comes up, we're in a position to do it, rather than spending all our money early doors. I always think it's the most expensive time to shop just after the season's finished."

Some squad changes have already taken place at Guiseley, but O'Neill admitted that they were borne out of necessity.

He said: "There are some players at the club who are maybe on too much money to remain here. Dayle Southwell (sold to Halifax Town last week) fell into that category. We couldn't afford to keep him at the club.

"We are looking to strengthen though and (after the signings of Scott Garner and Louie Swain) the back four gives us a steady base.

"We also have some players already at the club who we think can do a really good job."

Guiseley hope to give youth a chance in their upcoming pre-season friendlies, and O'Neill said: "There's a lot of people who work very hard within the academy.

"We need to be seen making a pathway for these lads. We have to work with them and if that means putting them on the pitch and trying to improve them, then it's great for the club.

"Hopefully, it will encourage better players to come through and work with us too."

Guiseley's first pre-season friendly is on July 10 against Bradford City at Nethermoor and they will face five further fixtures after that, culminating in a home clash with Barnsley on July 31, four days before the start of the league season.

Guiseley's pre-season programme:

Tuesday, July 10 - Guiseley v Bradford City, Nethermoor Park, 7.30pm kick-off;

Saturday, July 14 - Yorkshire Amateur v Guiseley, Bracken Edge, 3pm;

Saturday, July 21 - West Auckland Town v Guiseley, Darlington Road, 3pm; Tuesday, July 24 - Guiseley v Bolton Wanderers, Nethermoor Park, 7.45pm; Thursday, July 26 - Guiseley v Leeds United, Nethermoor Park, 7.45pm; Tuesday, July 31 - Guiseley v Barnsley Xl, Nethermoor Park, 7.45pm.