FIT-AGAIN Steve Carragher is Runcorn FC Halton's new leader in the field.
Player-boss Chris Lightfoot has confirmed the experienced wing-back/sweeper as club captain for the march into Nationwide Conference North.
Carragher served as deputy skip-per to Dominic Morley, who left to join Southport at the end of last season.
The new captain is ready to return to action in Saturday's opening friendly at Caernarfon (ko 3pm) after overcoming the injury which forced him to miss the last two months of 2003-04.
'Having him back is like having another signing,' admitted
Lightfoot. 'He has been at the front of the running in training, which could be expected as he is a fit lad.'
The manager saw Carragher as a natural successor to Morley, particularly as he is no stranger to the Runcorn armband.
'He has played the game for a few years now, especially at this level, and knows what it is about,' added the player-boss.
The Linnets have a strong squad for the first of two upcoming friend-lies on Welsh soil - the other is at League of Wales champions Rhyl on August 7 (2.30pm).The only likely absentees at Caernarfon are the honeymooning John Robertson and holidaying Matty McGinn.
Centre-half Robertson's fellow new signings, striker Nicky Young and midfieldman Kieron Durkan, are expected to feature along with the returning Lee Parle - although Durkan has had a groin injury.
Lightfoot will be relieved FIFA have relaxed their regulations limiting substitutions in pre-season friendlies to six per side.
The limitation will now apply only to international friendlies.
There have been surprisingly few trialists at training.
'The squad is fairly settled.' said Lightfoot, who will be able to nominate five subs for league games. 'We are still maybe one or two short.'
Lightfoot retains an interest in a left-sided player training with a fellow Conference North club and the Runcorn boss is ready to move in if the opportunity arises.
In a separate development, left-back Shaun Smith - Lightfoot's one-time team-mate at Crewe - could come through after his release by Hull City.
Smith hopes for a deal with Scarborough or York but may yet keep himself ticking over with the Linnets, who would be well placed to benefit if other options don't work.
Runcorn have filled their 'free' pre-season date on Saturday, July 24 (ko 3pm) with a visit to St Oswald's, who play at the former Tetley Walker ground in Long Lane, Warrington.
Before that, they are at Heswall of the West Cheshire League next Tuesday (ko 7.30pm). Runcorn will host Northwich Vics on Tuesday, July 27 (7.30pm) and go to Mond Rangers on Thursday, July 29 (6.45pm). The remaining friendlies are away to Barnton on Saturday, July 31 (3pm) and Rhyl seven days before the season kicks off - at home to Redditch United on Saturday, August 14.
Runcorn FC Supporters' Club AGM is tonight at Runcorn War Memorial Club, York Place (7.30pm).
GENERAL Chemicals won the Jody Burns Memorial Trophy for a fourth successive year on Sunday.
The West Cheshire League side beat Union Tavern, of the Runcorn Sunday League, 7-2.
Chemics play RJM Maintenance at Picow Farm Road on Saturday (3pm) and entertain full-timers Accrington Stanley on Tuesday (6.45pm).
