GARY Mills believes he now has a York City squad he can rely on ahead of the new campaign.

With just one final friendly remaining – against Notts County on Saturday – the Minstermen boss is delighted with his players and their build-up to a National League North opener against AFC Telford United in nine days.

Tuesday night's 9-0 drubbing of United Counties League Oakham United gave a glimpse of City's available attacking options – and left Mills satisfied with their pre-season preparations.

He said: "We have tried to mix pre-season up with some tough games and some easier games 'on paper', if you like.

"Either way, whoever you are playing, you have to go about it and prepare yourself in the right way and we have done that.

"But whatever pre-season is all about, we are preparing for a week on Saturday. That’s what it’s all about. I have put a squad together where, no matter who is playing, I think they are going to give us absolutely everything and we know what we are going to get."

On this week's victory at Oakham, he added: "It was a good work-out for the lads, it's about fitness and getting to know how we are going to play a little bit. I thought it was good.

"A few players needed a few more minutes than others because they have not had too much. We needed to see a couple of players in certain positions and what they are about.

"I just thought everybody went about their jobs very very well – particularly when you score a few goals. It sometimes becomes more difficult to keep the tempo going – but I thought we did that."