Stuart Gray admits he is looking forward to starting his first full season as manager of Northampton Town.

"It is always exciting to start pre-season," he said. "The lads are buzzing but now we are getting down to the hard work that lies ahead of us.

"Pre-season is a long 6 week programme but the lads will be working very hard with a lot of physical work. All the physical work will be done in the mornings, with the ball work in the afternoons.

"We have some games coming up early in the pre-season, so we will be getting some possession work into the lads towards the end of the first week.

"We don't have too many new faces to integrate so that will help those who are new to settle in. I think all four new signings have improved us and have given us different options. I think they will also cause the opposition problems when we go forward.

"Danny Jackman is a full back who likes to get forward, rather like Jason Crowe does on the other side and I think you need width in any side. I am very pleased that the two full backs we have got will offer us that.

"As far as I am concerned, keeping Jason Crowe and Chris Doig is like adding two new signings to the squad. They are both very good players and it is fantastic for the club that they re-signed to stay here.

"I would like to bring two more in. I am happy with what I have at the moment but a couple more faces will give us more strength and increase the options in the squad. One of the new people may be a loan signing, and for that we might have to wait until nearer the start of the season."

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