The job of assistant manager has been offered to former Chatteris Town boss Jimmy Unwin who has been coaching at Cambridge United since he quit West Street over two years ago.

Unwin, who has a good knowledge of local footballers, returns from holiday this week, and all the expectations are that he will take the post. Unwin in fact was a candidate for the Hares job after he quit Chatteris when Brett Whaley took the job.

Weston said: “I am very hopeful Jimmy will join me and I should have a reserve team manager in place after I have spoken to a couple of people later this week.”

As well as sorting out his backroom staff, Weston has also been busy contacting possible new faces to the GER at training which began last night and continues tomorrow night.

Liam Southgate, a former Wisbech, Raunds and Yaxley player, Jonathan Hands from Eye United, and Guyhirn striker Mark Newton are expected to train this week while Weston is also in talks with former Deeping and Yaxley winger Mark Kingston, too.

Newton had a knee operation at the end of last season but is back in training and this strong centre forward could prove a big asset to Weston's squad. He played a few games for March two seasons ago but returned to Guyhirn, managed by his father Peter.

Weston will be without Sam Murphy, who is going off to University in America, while Lloyd Johnson will be out until November following an operation on his knee and Harry Roe is away travelling until then too.

He said: “It will be good to get Lloyd and Harry back in November but I do need to strengthen before the start of the season. After a two or three weeks I should know who is going to sign and who won’t be.”

Weston is trying to persuade former players Finlay Clarkson and Dave Weston to return to March, while Danny Escorio has committed himself after leaving for Parson Drove towards the end of last season.

Weston added: “We will also have the option of taking players from Cambridge Regional College again this season and I will be speaking with them towards the end of July.”

The Hares are at home to either Godmanchester or CRC in the Ridgeons League Challenge Cup and are away to either Godmanchester or Thetford in the Division One Cup.

March's friendly against Lincoln City has been booked in for July 18 while the Wisbech game should take place on July 28. There are also games against Yaxley, Fletton and Ely too.

n Former March boss Whaley has taken over at Peterborough League champions Ramsey Town.