CHORLEY manager John Hughes is unconcerned about the exodus of experienced players in the lead up to the start of their UniBond Division One campaign which begins on August 21.

Only a small number of first team regulars from last season remain including Ian Leather, Danny Mills, Jamie Vermiglio and David Eatock.

But Hughes has brought in plenty of new faces including former Magpies striker Matt Swailes and was impressed by his team's performance in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Radcliffe Borough.

"If players don't want to play for Chorley then that's up to them. As far as I am concerned players should be more than willing to play for a club of this stature.

"The pre-season matches have gone well and we were the better team on Saturday. I stand by the belief that if you can get the defence right you can match a result in any match and we have some quality defenders at Chorley.

"Overall I am happy with both the quality and attitude of the players I have brought in. We have played games against teams in higher divisions than us and competed well in each of them.

"There are also a lot of players with good potential in the reserve side so the squad is looking pretty strong."

Hughes added that he had not yet decided who will make the first eleven for the first league match but that Eatock and Swailes are likely to form the forward partnership.

Among those Hughes has signed are former Magpies players Simon Kay and striker David Gray who scored against Radcliffe.

He has tried out several goalkeepers in the pre-season matches with John Gillies, Graham Bennett, Paul Eatock and Bobby Harris from Great Harwood all taking the gloves. Harris is highly rated by Hughes and played for one half in Tuesday night's match against Morecambe.

Other newcomers include midfielder Jason Jones from Clitheroe, fellow midfielder Andy Howarth, wide man Sam Pope who has had trials at Preston and Jonathan Thompson from Wigan.

His most recent signing is right back Dougie Pitts who has previously been with Wigan Athletic.

He has also tested out former Bamber Bridge players Neil Zarak and Richard Fogarty and Ryan Parr from Great Harwood.

Chorley take on American side Oakland at Victory Park on Thursday and travel to Crosby on Saturday to meet Marine.

Chorley's reserve side, under new manager Colin Chambers, will kick off this season's Lancashire League campaign against Lancaster City at Victory Park on Saturday.