Hesketh was due to hold talks with a 6ft 5ins defender, whom he believes would give the squad the quality and depth needed to mount a promotion push.

He declined to name the player for fear of alerting other clubs.

"He would be a first-teamer and a major signing who could have a big impact on our season," said Hesketh. "He is currently playing at our level but there is interest from sides in higher divisions than
ourselves." Hesketh already has verbal agreements with five other players to join the club.

But with pre-season training due to begin on July 2, he added that there probably would be three or four others released.

David Rhodes, who worked with Hesketh as a fitness consultant at Chorley, has been added to the Giant Axe backroom staff.

"David will be working more on rehabilitation following an injury so that should help get players back into action a lot more quickly," said Hesketh.

Meanwhile, a pre-season friendly with Coca-Cola League Two neighbours Morecambe at the Giant Axe, which had been pencilled in for Monday, July 27, has been switched to the evening of Thursday, July 30.

A friendly on August 8, the final Saturday before the start of the Unibond League First Division North season, has yet to be finalised.
The league fixtures will be published on July 15.

"I think we are shaping up for a promotion challenge," added Hesketh. "I'm very happy with the squad we have and I'll be disappointed if we do not at least make the play-offs."