Many of them have been doing their own fitness schedules during the summer and have returned in good shape. It has enabled the group to hit the ground running in three productive sessions so far.

They will have one further session on Monday before a near full squad travels to Whitehaven for the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy fixture on Wednesday.

Sam Joel (inset) became the latest player to commit himself to the club for the 2017-18 season, meaning all but Kyle May from last season’s squad have agreed to stay.

Management have invited several ‘newcomers’ to partake in pre-season with Jamie Mellon one of those impressing so far. He came through the Everton Academy and was recommended to Reds by Brian Dawson after a spell playing for Holker Old Boys.

The left-sided player, comfortable on the ball, can operate in midfield or up front and adds to the growing Barrow contingent in the squad.

Four of last season’s Reserves’ squad will also spend the summer with the first team group and have acquitted themselves well.

Skipper Gari Rowntree (pictured) will combine playing duties with a coaching role this season and he will ease back into training soon having recovered from the broken ankle sustained in the play-off match at Stourbridge.