BLUEBIRDS boss Darren Edmondson expects Leeds United to provide a stern final pre-season test for his side.

Leeds head to Holker Street tomorrow to take on a Barrow team just a week away from their return to the Conference (3pm kick-off).

AFC's preparations thus far have seen them face sides ranked below them in the footballing pyramid, but United are set to feature several members of their first-team squad – used to football in the Championship.

That should provide the perfect warm-up ahead of next week's visit of Dover Athletic at the start of the National League campaign, and Edmondson said: “I think they will provide the test we need.

“They’ve got a huge first-team squad and we’re told that some of those guys will be travelling also.

“So it will be a very competitive Leeds team, I’m sure of it and what a good fixture it is for us.”

Tomorrow's game is the first chance Barrow supporters have had to see their side in action at Holker Street in pre-season.

With the pitch at their home ground being relaid over the summer, all the friendlies have been played away, with the latest being a 0-0 draw at county rivals Workington last weekend.

That was a game which saw Edmondson field many of his new recruits, including the likes of Steve Williams, David Mellor and Andy Haworth.

While the display was not as efficient as previous matches, several players had been held up by tailbacks due to an accident on the M6 and arrived only 30 minutes before the delayed kick-off.

Generally, Edmondson has been pleased with the progress he has seen during pre-season, and said: “Everybody is coming along nicely fitness-wise and the performances have been pretty good.

“Saturday’s game was disrupted because people weren’t arriving until 2.45pm, they had been in a car for four-and-a-half hours which wasn’t ideal preparation.

“I think that was subsequently transferred on to the field, it was difficult for the players to then get rhythm so quickly for that game.

“I think the fitness levels are very good. Everybody has been doing well fitness-wise – the testing that has been done has been good. I’m pleased with everybody.

“Nobody is always at optimum fitness for the first game of the season, not at all, you aim to build that in slowly.

“Pre-season friendlies are what they are – you top yourself up to full percentage when you play proper games.

“That’s just part of where it is pre-season. But with regards to where they are with regards to the training they’re doing, then yes, nearly everybody is right there where we want them to be.”

He added: “The new signings have fitted in well. I think our little stay in the Lakes (when Barrow held a training camp) helped with that, to embed everybody in.

“They were able to get to know each other on a different front and that’s what that was about.

“Everybody’s contribution has been excellent up to now.”

Edmondson has stated this week that places in the team for the opening league fixtures are still up for grabs.

He has been impressed with what players have shown him in their bids to take one of those spots, and said: “I think the work ethic to retrieve the ball back has been very good.

“Generally, the passing has been very good, the way they have moved the ball has been excellent at times and some of the forward play has been really good.

“All-round, I’m quite pleased with where everybody is at the moment.”