York City started the countdown to the new season today with Terry Dolan believing the foundations are already in place for a successful campaign.

As the senior players returned for training, buoyant boss Dolan received another major fillip with Darren Edmondson finally pledging his allegiance to Bootham Crescent. He was expected to sign his new contract today.

In his brief Bootham Crescent stint at the end of last season, Edmondson impressed the City faithful with his tenacity, commitment and willingness to drive forward.

Edmondson, whose favourite position is right-wing back, began his career at Carlisle and became a firm fans' favourite at Brunton Park before a £225,000 move to Huddersfield.

He linked up with City and Terry Dolan on the eve of transfer deadline day last season.

Only the future of goalkeeper Alan Fettis remains unclear but the Northern Ireland international was expected at training today with talks planned this afternoon.

However, with the big kick-off little over five weeks away, Dolan insisted he was more than happy with the way his squad was shaping up.

Meeting their team-mates for the first time today were new signings Graham Potter, Peter Duffield and Gary Hobson.

Despite a productive summer of new arrivals, the City boss revealed he will not be letting up in his quest to turn City into promotion candidates.

Dolan will spend the next couple of weeks casting his eye over two trialists in right-sided player Phil Hadland and striker David McNiven.

Warrington-born Hadland, 19, has been released by Reading but has been recommended to Dolan by sources in Berkshire.

The youngster made his debut for the Royals the season before last but after being handed a one year contract struggled to earn a regular place in the first team squad.

McNiven, 22, has been released by Oldham Athletic and spent a shot spell on loan with Scarborough - scoring twice in six games - last year.

The striker, son of former Leeds United star David McNiven, was never a regular with the Latics, making only a handful of appearances last year and scoring one goal after his early career was hampered by a knee injury

Hobson's arrival yesterday means City now have a first team squad consisting of 26 players, including Fettis, bedding in.

Despite the influx of new arrivals, Dolan insisted he was not under any pressure to cut back his squad, although striker Marc Williams and midfielder Craig Skinner remained available.

The settled situation contrasts sharply to this time last year when the Minstermen had 24 senior players registered, no new signings in place and the likes of Andy McMillan, Alan Pouton and Mark Tinkler with their futures undecided.

"It is an encouraging situation to have everything just about in place for pre-season," Dolan told the Evening Press.

"If Williams and Skinner do go that will leave me with 24 players and I would be happy with that.

"We have competition in every place and there is a good balance to the squad."

Joining Dolan and coach Adie Shaw at the club's Wigginton road training complex today was City's specially appointed fitness team, Newlife, run by leading expert Ed Baranowski.

The team were expected to monitor the fitness of the returning players and set them their individual conditioning programmes.

PICTURE:ON BOARD: York City's Darren Edmondson