The Poppies reported back for pre-season training in sweltering conditions yesterday with all four new signings so far – Lee Fowler, James McPike, Ryan Beswick and Greg Taylor – linking up with the squad for the first time.

Youngsters Beswick and McPike officially made their moves from Leicester City and Birmingham City respectively yesterday.

And boss Cooper insists the youngsters will get a chance, although he admitted he is already lining up "three or four more" new players to complete his squad.

"The chairman and myself felt we need to bring a couple of younger players in to give it a bit of youth and we have done that with Taylor, Beswick and McPike," the Kettering manager said.

"I am sure they will integrate into our squad and our ways and they will have the opportunity to show they are worth a place in the team.

"As far as bringing others in, I am cool about the situation. We have our targets but we will wait until the scramble is over.

"I am concentrating on bringing in three or four quality players who have a bit of experience.

"If we do that I think it will help the guys who have done really well for the last two years."

Cooper, meanwhile, conceded he will be tentative with his players during the build-up to the new Blue Square Premier campaign.

He wasn't helped by two key players missing the opening day for very
differing reasons.

Star midfielder Andre Boucaud has fallen ill and is being tested for the swine flu virus.

And giant central defender Exodus Geohaghon was also missing.

He has flown to Belgrade as he gets ready to represent Team Great Britain in the World University Games, which run until July 13.

And Cooper is keen to ensure all of his players are fit for the first game.

"We haven't flogged them because they have been away for a while so we are just breaking them in gently," he added after the opening training session.

"But the lads have come back in good nick. We have been looking forward to getting back and now we are here and the countdown has started to the start of the season.

"I am pleased with how they have looked after themselves over the summer and now we have five or six weeks to get them right and I have no concerns over that.

"It's no secret we are going to have a small squad so it's a bit of a catch-22 situation for us in trying to get them fit without picking up any injuries.

"We have to be a bit tentative with them but obviously make sure we get enough work into them. But the main emphasis is on making sure everyone is fit for the start of the season."