Steve Burr will give his pre-season trialists a chance to earn themselves deals before finalising his squad.

His collection of unnamed hopefuls include a current international, experienced Football League campaigners, proven non-league performers and youngsters released from bigger clubs.

Burr has made 10 new signings but still has room in his budget for one or two more additions.

Marine  provide the opposition for the first pre-season game on Saturday with the manager planning to field half a dozen or more trialists at College Road (3pm).

Burr explained: “This friendly on Saturday has probably come a week early for us.

“I normally like to be in for a couple of weeks before we get underway with matches but circumstances were that we took the game on.

“We’ve got one or two trialists in and it’ll give me chance to have a good look at them.”

Burr has been pleased with his close season recruitment, and insists his side will be far more competitive than last term.

But he believes he still needs a left back and another central midfielder, and cover for new number one Jon Worsnop should the transfer-listed John Danby depart.

Burr said: “It depends on how we can stretch what we’ve got left in the budget and we’ll do the best with that we can.

“I’ve been delighted with the squad we’ve managed to get together with what we’ve had available, and it’s now about working with them in pre-season and getting that spirit going.

“We’ll be looking at the pre-season games and giving the lads that have come in on trial every opportunity to show us what they can do and then we’ll assess it.”

Having reported back  on Monday, the squad underwent fitness testing before a demanding  outdoor training session at Delamere Forest on Tuesday.

Burr said he now planned to focus on  technical and tactical work, ensuring his side are primed for the start of the 2014-15 season on August 9.

Chester have nine pre-season games arranged, starting with this weekend’s trip to Marine, whose manager Carl Macauley ended last season as Burr’s assistant.

Upton AA are next up on Tuesday at The Cheshire County Sports Club (7.30pm) in a game celebrating the West Cheshire League club’s 50th anniversary.

Burr is confident his new-look squad, the move towards full-time training and a well-planned pre-season means the Blues will put last term’s troubles behind them.

He said: “We’ve got to make sure we make the most of the reprieve, it’s given everyone a massive lift  and we’ll definitely improve and get stronger as we go along.”