PICKERING TOWN are strengthening their squad with a double transfer swoop.

Manager Paul Marshall has moved to brining in former Selby Town captain Matty Turnbull to the Recreation Ground and he is almost certain of adding ex-Tadcaster Albion defender George Bissett.

Turnbull, who previously played for the club under Jimmy Reid, was the subject of an approach from the Pikes last season but the club were rebuffed by their Northern Counties East League rivals. Now, though, Marshall has got his man and the midfielder made his debut in the club's rain abandoned game at Garforth Town last weekend.

The Mille Lane chief, who has worked with Bissett when at the helm of premier division table toppers Tadcaster Albion, is now confident - following the recent arrivals of Calum Ward and Peter Lawrie - that he is building a quality squad.

"Matty has come back to his home club and he is a great player," said Marshall of Turnbull. "I had seen him play and Jimmy spoke very highly of him. He wants to be closer to home and it's great to have him in the squad.

"We have put in seven days for George. He will be a great acquisition. He has played for me since he was 16 or 17 and, with these players, we are signing people who have finished second and third in the premier division over the last two years.

"They understand how to win games of football at this level. This is a slightly different situation to Taddy - they have to win the league - but it would be great if we could get third. These players were key parts of my side at Tadcaster. They were first team players and can only benefit Pickering."

Sunday sees Pickering entertain Evo-Stik first division northern outfit Clitheroe in the preliminary round of the FA Cup and, with the winners receiving £1,950 in prize money, Marshall sees it as another chance to put valuable cash in the club coffers.

"We are looking forward to it," he said. "We know a little bit about them and we will watch their game against Chester and do our homework on them. They have Greg Anderson playing for them who played for me at Harrogate Railway when he was 16.

"He left North Ferriby this year and was in the squad that got to Wembley (in the FA Trophy). It's a home tie. The team we beat in the last round was a league below and this time we are playing a team from a league above.

"I have beaten teams from a league above before and there is no pressure on us. We are looking forward to a good crowd and a good performance. The last game against Thornaby was great to win. It brought in £1,500 for the club and we want to win our home games.

"They are imperative for how your season goes."