LEIGH RMI will have their new stars on parade at Hilton Park tomorrow in the first of a series of top quality friendlies.

Wigan Athletic provide the opposition tomorrow, with Everton visiting next Wednesday and Manchester City three days later.

Striker Karl Rose is Phil Starbuck's latest recruit, and he will get his first run out for the Railwaymen alongside former Mansfield youngster Craig Mitchell, a partnership the manager believes will be "a real handful" in the Conference.

Rose, aged 25, started his career at Barnsley, and moved to Rochdale, before being released by Scarborough in the summer.

"He never stops running, is a real ratter and is very aggressive," said Starbuck, who beat off the challenge of Halifax and Northwich for the striker.

"The lads are training hard and getting to know each other, and tomorrow should be a useful step forward for them, against a team which will provide friendly rivalry."

Gary Kelly, Ian Martin, Warren Peyton, Andy Roscoe, Gareth Holmes and Mario Daniel are the only regular first teamers who have survived Starbuck's end-of-season clearout.

They will be joined by new boys Rose, Chris Lane, Steve Smith, Barry Miller, Craig Gaunt, Carl Adams, Gareth Stoker and Mitchell. Graham Tench, Ben Ashmole and Gavin Ellison, who all figured in the first team towards the end of the season, have also been retained, but Starbuck is hoping to bring in two or three more players to complete his squad.