AFC boss Darren Edmondson says there are still places up for grabs in his opening-day team as the club apply the final touches to their 2015/16 National League season preparations.

The Bluebirds were yesterday attempting to arrange a behind-closed-doors practice match for tomorrow, while they will complete their pre-season campaign by hosting Leeds United XI on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

A week later, on August 8, AFC will kick off their National League season with a home game against Dover Athletic, and Edmondson still has some big decisions to make over his first selection with Simon Grand, Danny Livesey and new signing Steve Williams targeting a centre-back spot.

In the attacking department, Andy Cook, Jason Walker and new recruit Ashley Grimes hope to start up front, while goalkeeping duo Joel Dixon and Aaran Taylor are fighting it out for the number one jersey.

Edmondson said: “There are still places up for grabs, without doubt.

“We’ve got three excellent centre-halves and at the moment we’ve got three excellent centre-forwards. When we get David Symington fit that puts the two wide players (Andy Haworth and Dan Pilkington) under pressure. In midfield, we’ve got four players and we obviously know that Paddy Lacey is suspended (for the Dover game).

“There’s competition all over which is what you want. Neil Ashton has been excellent at left-back and then the two keepers have done very well so there are still some decisions to be made.

“I’ve got an idea of quite a few. But you’ve got to make sure you get through the next two games unscathed and then the final week is about manoeuvring them into place and getting the shape and work done with regards to what you want them to do on the Saturday against Dover.

“So we’ll get the friendly and the Leeds games out of the way this week and then make sure everybody is fully fit. And then we can start to work on shape and embed in what we think is going to be the 11 into practice next week.”

Deals for ex-Carlisle man Symington, full-back Matt Young and young Barrovian keeper Danny Eccles are yet to be finalised, while Edmondson is also in the market for a striker to serve as cover for the crocked Anthony Wilson.

Midfielder Alex-Ray Harvey (slight Achilles strain), midfielder Mo Fofana (swollen shin) and full-back Brad Carroll (hamstring) are carrying injuries with the trio missing Saturday’s goalless draw at Workington.

The injuries do not appear to be serious and Fofana could even train today. Harvey may spend a little more time on the sidelines as a precautionary measure and it is not yet clear whether he will be classed as a doubt for the Leeds or Dover games.

When asked if his team selection against Leeds game will give a good indication as to who will get the nod against Dover, Edmondson added: “It depends on injuries this week. If one or two return then we may need to put them in to get some minutes under their belts.

“So, again, it’s all injury-led and it would be nice to get somewhere near the 11 (that will start against Dover) against Leeds but, as I say, if we find that one or two are still looking a bit short this week then we’ll put people in.

“So there might be an indication in certain areas but, again, it’s another pre-season game.”