Player decisions ahead for Rangers

Stafford Rangers manager Chris Brindley could be deciding futures as well as places when picking the side for the opening day of the season at Boston United.

Rangers currently have a squad of 20-plus players to work from, ahead of the start of the Blue Square North campaign away from home a week on Saturday.

But many are trialists whose only payment, apart from their travelling expenses, is the hope of the club signing them for the season ahead.

Some have impressed in pre-season with the likes of Tom Moss, Chris Sterling and Nathan Woolfe all among the goals, while Niall McGuire had impressed in midfield before injuring his ankle ligaments two weeks ago.

Moss has also now picked up a hamstring injury and, through no fault of their own, both could have played themselves out of deals if they do not win their race to be fit for the opening day.

It also places added importance on Saturday's last pre-season friendly at home to Nantwich, as it could be a last chance for many of the trial brigade to impress the manager and make themselves one of the 'untouchables' for the Boston game.

It's not a situation Brindley wants to be in, but admits that with money still tight at Marston Road it's inevitable.

He said: "When we pick our side for the first game of the season, that will be when the big decisions are made, as financially we are not in a position to pay people well who are not playing.

"Ultimately, after that, players are going to drift off. We are not going to be able to keep everybody happy, to be honest.

"There are players who have come in and, when everybody is fit, it's going to be difficult to keep them all."