NEW caretaker boss Steve Edmondson is confident that after a hectic week's recruiting, Kendal Town will take to the field at Market Drayton Town on Saturday with a competitive and capable squad.

The Mintcakes' battle to avoid relegation from the Evo-Stik League Division One West suffered a crushing blow when 11 players left the club last week along with manager Dave Foster, effectively leaving Town without as first team squad.

But following Edmondson's appointment as Foster's replacement, with ex-Town keeper Craig Dootson arriving as his assistant, the new management duo have been hard at work assembling a new side.

"It's been a busy few days but Craig has so many contacts and we're really pleased with the lads we've brought in and we're looking forward to challenges ahead," he said.

"It's been tough but people have to realise we need to stick together so now all we want is for the supporters to get behind us and give us the chance to get this great club back on track."

Already signed up is Sope Awe, a tall, athletic youngster who can play in midfield or up front and who has spent this season with Chorley's under 21 squad.

Ex-Bolton centre back Brandon Lee is also on board, as is midfield man Ryan Moore who was formerly with National League high flyers AFC Fylde.

And completing a quartet of non-contract signings is keeper Joao Mendis, who was recently released by Chorley's National League North rivals Ashton United.

Dootson said the club were also in advanced negotiations to bring in a centre back from a Football League club, and he said there were also talks ongoing with five other clubs over incoming players, with all these clubs currently playing at Evo-Stik Premier or National League North level.

In addition, Edmondson said he and Dootson had contacts at National League promotion hopefuls Salford City, where David Beckham recently joined a board which already includes former Manchester United legends Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

Salford have a large squad of quality players and Edmondson said he was hopeful at least one of their under 21 squad could be tempted to Kendal for a loan spell.

And he added that the club's long held belief in developing local talent would continue with young Windermere based midfield man Joe Dixon already on board and several other young players from the South Lakes area being lined up.

Edmondson said the club had also served seven days on a number of other players who he was confident would be in the Town squad by the time they take the field at Market Drayton.

"I've been amazed at the offers of assistance from fellow non-league clubs and I'd like to thank them for their help," he said.

Town have been on a poor run and currently lie second from bottom but they are just four points from safety with a game in hand on third from bottom Glossop North End, who visit Kendal a week on Saturday, February 16, for what promises to be a pivotal clash in Town's relegation fight.

But first, it's the Gingerbread Men v the Mintcakes as Town make the long trip to Shropshire on Saturday for the first game of Edmondson's second spell at the helm.