IT has been a summer of change for Redditch United player-manager Nicky Cross as his preparations for a first season in charge gathered pace.

After his decision to accept the manager's job following Rob Smith's acrimonious departure last season, the former West Brom ace's first task has been rebuilding his squad.

Smith's team, who flattered to deceive by climbing the table only to fade in the last third will have been largely replaced by the time United visit Gloucester in the big kick-off on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Cross' first, and probably most important signing, was in tempting former Bromsgrove Rovers assistant manager Gary Hackett to turn down the managerial hotseat at neighbours Alvechurch and come to the Valley as his assistant.

And after that, Hackett explained, the squad had to be rebuilt from necessity rather than choice.

After a glittering professional career which included European football with Scottish Premier side Aberdeen, Hackett had spells at Halesowen Town, Stourbridge, Stourport and Bromsgrove.

Redditch fans would be forgiven for expecting him to trawl his old clubs and assemble a squad of familiar journeymen but the new regime at Redditch decided to try a different tack and flung in a boatload of unproven trialists for their pre-season fixtures.

Hackett was joined by former Halesowen Town duo Neil Cartwright and Andy Bradley and Bromsgrove defender Mark Creighton in the first wave of signings.

But the management duo have snapped up former Solihull hitman Joey Dowling, Leeds University graduate Gavin Barratt, Sutton Coldfield Town goalscorer Neil Beagan and former Solihull keeper Matt Jones.

And Hackett has been given the go-ahead from Alvechurch to sign forward Michael Campbell with Cross' son Steve likely to join the influx.

After a confusing array of players and line ups in the friendlies it is difficult to say who is in the strongest Redditch eleven and with Scott Colcombe suspended and Cartwright (knee), Mark Swann (calf), Nigel Niblett (calf), McWilliams (knee ligaments) and target Paul Eden (hamstring) doubtful for the opening day, Hackett was unwilling to make any predictions.