BARNT Green Spartak manager GJ Singh is hoping that a tight knit squad can improve on last season's finish in the Midlands Combination Premier Division next season.

Spartak finished an inconsistent season with a five game unbeaten run to come third in the table.

The manager is hopeful that he has held onto most of the squad that ended the campaign on a high.

He said: "We ended the season with a strong nucleus of a squad and I'm hopeful that I will have almost all of the players back for next season. We finished third last season and obviously I'd like to improve on that if we can. The club has made steady progression up the table in the last few years and hopefully we can continue that."

The manager will be aiming to add more firepower to the squad after losing striker Kevin Brookes, Jae Martin and midfielder Lewis Baker near the end of last season.

Goalkeeper Kenny Sanders, who moved to Pilkington XXX, has been replaced by custodian Neil Leech. Singh has also signed Junior Hewlitt and Nathan Granville. The manager is also hoping to tempt Ryan Green from Feckenham.

Spartak start their friendlies away at Warwick Town on July 22 (3pm kick off), then play Halesowen Town away on July 25 (7.45pm) before playing West Mercia Constabulary at Bromsgrove Rovers on July 27 (7.30pm).

Spartak to go Dudley Sports on July 29 (3pm kick off), take on Kenilworth Town on August 2 (7.45pm kick off), play Droitwich away on August 5 (3pm kick off) and then go to Sporting Khalsa in Bloxwich on August 9 (7.45pm start).