Final friendly will help to focus Holleran’s mind

Jamie Tank has signed for Brakes after an impressive pre-season.

Never a fan of pre-season, Leamington manager Paul Holleran says he cannot wait to get tomorrow’s home friendly with Nuneaton Town out of the way.

However, while he is already counting down to the league opener against Guiseley on August 9, he admits the curtain-raiser will help him solve some last-minute selection issues.

“There have been one or two good performances [in pre-season] and one or two places are still up for grabs and that’s what we need: competition,” said Holleran.

“Luke Connolly has had a good pre-season, Jake Edwards has done well and Richard Batchelor is ahead of schedule.

He added: “It’s a tough game Saturday and it will give us an idea of where we are at.

“They’d be a top-end opposition in our league and a really good test for us.”

Stefan Moore, Lee Moore and Joe Magunda are all expected to feature after missing the 3-1 defeat by Walsall, while Jamie Tank, who has been impressive in pre-season, will make his first appearance as a fully fledged Brakes player.

Tank, 20, was released by Wolverhampton Wanderers in April, two years after having made a £20,000 switch from Walsall and Holleran says his acquisition is a feather in the cap for the Conference North side.

“We’re delighted to have tied him up.

“He’s a local lad whose promising start has just stalled a little.

“But he’s got all the attributes to go on and we’re delighted he feels some time with us is the best way forward.”