CHIPPENHAM Town boss Mark Collier says results are irrelevant as Newport County descend on Hardenhuish Park this weekend for the club’s opening pre-season friendly.

Collier has been preparing his troops for their second season in the National League South, after guiding them to 13th-place in the league standings last term.

While the Bluebirds boss has been putting his players through their paces for more than a week, he says it is too early to look into results as they come up against the Football League side

“Training has been decent. We have had some sessions with a mix of hard work and work with the ball,” he said.

“We’ve started to move a little bit into the shape of the team and how we are going to set up for the season.

“It’s all about general fitness really so although there has been some hard work, it’s not been too difficult for the lads because they’ve looked after themselves over the summer.

“We’ve got our first friendly on Saturday so we are always looking to getting out on the pitch when we can.

“We won’t have a full squad because we have a couple who are away and a few are carrying some knocks so I’m not going to risk anyone with that.

“Saturday is just another step to the first day of the season, Saturday, August 4, and I said to the lads, it’s not about the results it’s about getting people used to the ball.

“They need to get some match time into their legs, we will rotate players and do the same again on Tuesday, we are looking to build week in week out.”

The club also announced they have retained the services of experienced duo Mike Jones and James Guthrie.

The double addition means Chippenham have now got a squad of just under 20 players, and Collier says he is more than happy with the pair, as well as the group available to him.

“Those two were offered some deals elsewhere and we had some discussions with them,” he added.

“They both signed and they are both key players. James is such a great servant to Chippenham Town, I think he’s very underrated.

“He can play in numerous positions and has a devil in his belly. He’s a very good player to have in the squad.

“It’s difficult for Mike because he is a utility player. Often they find themselves out of the team.

“The positive for him is we have a small squad. We need flexibility and we’ve got that with those two.

“I’m chuffed to bits they have both signed, they both bring different things to Chippenham Town and they’re both good lads to have.”