Hard work ahead for Massey at Truro City (by Rhod Mitchell - West Briton)

West Briton link

Steve Massey and his new-look Truro City squad will get together for the first time this week when pre-season training starts ahead of their opening friendly against League One outfit Crewe Alexandra next Friday.

Massey, who is in his third spell in charge at Treyew Road after taking over from Lee Hodges, knows it will take time to forge a new team capable of challenging for honours in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division.

Massey has had a hectic few weeks as he assembles his squad – and midfielder Jordan Copp and central defender Paul Kendall, who both joined City towards the end of last season, are the latest pieces in the jigsaw after agreeing to return to the club.

Kendall, who, like Copp, was wanted by a number of other clubs, will be the vice-captain, with Jake Ash skipper.

    

Massey is still looking to recruit fresh faces and he was expecting a number of potential signings to attend training last night, including Saul Halpin, who has been released by Torquay United, and James Washbourne, who had a handful of games for City last season. The full-back, though, is also off to Dundee United for a two-week trial.

The Truro manager is also waiting to hear from Les Afful, an ever-present in Blue Square Bet South last season and Bideford's attacking midfielder Matt Andrew, who have both been made offers to join the Cornish club.

Massey is also looking at a number of other players, including the Helston trio of former player Liam Eddy, Mark Goldsworthy and Charlie Young.

"There will be a lot of natural wastage as we go along and it could take until October to get where we want to be," Massey said.

"Next Friday's game [against Crewe] is a bit early for us, but it's a chance to look at a few things. I'm happy with where we are, but there is still a long way to go.

"We will see what players want to roll their sleeves up and try and make it at a higher level," he added.

Gary Pascoe is to continue as manager of Truro's Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Division One West side after "productive" talks with Massey, while former City first-team boss Lee Hodges has signed up as a player for Peninsula League Premier Division side St Austell.

Hodges wants to stay in management and he has applied for the manager's job at Salisbury City. The ex-Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United stalwart has had offers to play at a higher level than the Peninsula League, but he does not want to travel just to play any more.