The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Blyth Spartans manager Tommy Cassidy is looking to add four new faces to his Evo-Stik NPL Premier squad.

Tom Burj, Chris Fairless, Abubaker Salim and Grant Starling have all joined Cassidy but despite registering his new boys, the veteran manager is warning that they’re all on trial still.

Cassidy said: "They are all young lads, who have been at training and getting them registered means that we can look at them further over the next few weeks, but they are all effectively still on trial.

"Young Tom did particularly well against Gateshead in central midfield and we would definitely like to take a closer look at him."

Burj is a 22-year-old former Sunderland RCA midfielder who impressed in his first home showing in the friendly with Gateshead.

Fairless, 21, is an attacking midfielder or forward who has featured in the club’s opening friendlies, scoring Blyth’s third goal in the 3-1 win over Sunderland RCA in their last outing. He played for Northern Alliance side Stocksfield last season, following a relocation to the North East from Surrey.

Salim and Starling, aged 19 and 18, respectively, join from local football while Spartans have also announced the permanent signing of left-back Joe Kendrick.

The 28-year-old Irishman was signed on loan from Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Mansfield Town towards the end of last season and went on to become a key member of the side, scoring an impressive six goals in sixteen games, as well as captaining the side a couple of times when regular captain Wayne Buchanan was unavailable.

Released by Mansfield in the summer Kendrick, who played for his new side in the friendly win over Sunderland RCA, has now put pen-to-paper on a deal that will see him ply his trade for the Spartans for the upcoming season.

The move also sees the club release left-back James Novak, who is yet to play a game for Spartans.

Cassidy said: "Joe brings to the table exactly what I was looking for - he’s experienced, has a good attitude and wants to play. I think he’s an excellent acquisition and is a player we needed. He did really well for us when he came in last year, so hopefully he’ll continue in this vein.

"We’ve also decided to let James Novak go. We weren’t convinced that he has fully committed to the club and sensed he was getting cold feet over the move. I only want players who are fully committed to Blyth Spartans and therefore I have decided to go with Kendrick at left-back."