A GRUELLING pre-season workout will set Warrington Town in good stead for a shot at promotion this season, according to boss Shaun Reid.

The 49-year-old admits his players have been put through their paces with plenty of running and physical work this summer, but is impressed with the attitude shown so far.

And Reid is confident it is that approach that will prove decisive when it comes to crunch promotion clashes in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North.

“Sometimes you take a look and find a few negatives, but the boys have applied themselves brilliantly and worked their socks off,” he said.

“We’ve not done a lot of ball work; it’s been legs, power and getting the miles in.

“But the attitude has been absolutely magnificent and I don’t say that lightly. They’ve been a credit to themselves, doing the hard miles.

“They’ve surprised me with their great camaraderie as a group.

“You come up in games where you have to dig in and give it your all – I know these lads can do that now.”

Reid and chairman Toby Macormac have made three new additions to Town’s squad this week.

Midfielder Iain Howard, whose former clubs include Chester, Nantwich Town and Stockport County, is joined by former Sligo Rovers and AFC Telford man Danny Ventre and ex-Crewe Alexandra defender Danny O’Donnell.

“Iain has got quality," explained Reid. "I spoke to a few people at Chester and they were surprised they let him go.

“He’s strong, got pace and has an eye for goal so will be a very good addition to the squad. It shows what we are aiming to do and the calibre of player we’re attracting to the club.

“I talked to Liam Watson, ex-manager at Telford, and he spoke very highly of Danny (Ventre).

“O’Donnell is a 6’3 commanding presence. He was absolutely outstanding and did well on Saturday. He's fitted in comfortably.

“The chairman gets the fright of his life every time I ring as he thinks I’m asking for another one!”

Reid, whose side begin their league campaign at Bamber Bridge next month, is confident the new arrivals add competition for places.

“I’d like 18 to 20 players,” added the former Rochdale midfielder.

“I’ve got an 11 in my mind that will start the first game at Bamber, but that’s the good thing about pre-season as players have a knack of changing your mind.

“I can bring in players because I think they’ve got the right attributes, but they have to make it impossible for me to leave them out of the side.”

Ben Wharton and Chris Gahgan netted in a 2-1 friendly win at Leon Knight's Barnton on Saturday.