CHIPPENHAM Town will be ready and raring to go by the time the new National League South season rolls around as the Bluebirds added another friendly to their pre-season schedule.

The Bluebirds will host League Two duo Newport County and Swindon Town, as well as a competing against a number of local non-league teams as Mark Collier looks to fine tune his troops.

“Newport came to us last year and they liked what they saw,” said Collier.

“They said they’d come back and we were a little bit sceptical because these teams get themselves away and go abroad.

“We are pleased to have Newport, it will be a great test for us and it sets us up nicely for our season.

“We also have Swindon Town and then a few local ones from non-league. We have a good mixture, so hopefully that will stand us in good stead for the first game of the season.

“That is what all those friendlies are for, to make sure we are as ready as we can be for game one.”

In addition to the signings of Jack Compton and Yan Klukowski, the Bluebird manager is constantly looking to strengthen his squad, as well has keep hold of plenty of his current crop.

“We are speaking to a couple of other people but it is always quite a long-winded process,” added Collier.

“Those players have all got other clubs speaking to them and it isn’t something that you can do overnight, but I haven’t had any days off since the season has ended.

“We are working away but we have made two very big and influential signings for us in Jack and Yan.

“Hopefully by the start of the season we can add one or two more to a squad which is already very competitive.”