Manager Paul Fairclough will introduce five of his close season signings in a New Look Barnet side to play Arsenal in the traditional pre-season friendly at Underhill on Saturday.

 

Assistant manager Ian Hendon, who made the decision to hang up his boots at the end of his contract to "cross the line" to assist Fairclough, is named in the Barnet squad - and the former skipper is also lined up to play for Tottenham Hotspur after the Crystal Palace game next weekend in the London Masters competition.

 

There were still tickets available on the East Terrace at the start of business on Friday, but the news of the strong side Arsene Wenger plans to bring to Underhill boosted sales.

 

Fairclough counters with striker Anthony Thomas (Hemel Hempstead Town), likely to feature alongside former Arsenal youngster Adam Birchall, midfielders Ashley Carew (Fisher Athletic), Max Porter (Bishop's Stortford) and Neal Bishop (York City) and Michael Leary (Luton Town).

 

Club captain Lee Harrison will be in goal, with Joe Devera, Ismail Yakubu and Nicky Nicolau in front of him and Jason Puncheon in a reconstituted midfield. Liam Hatch is an option up front.

 

Supporters will remember that when Fairclough took over from Martin Allen the first thing he did was to replace the old midfield. After admitting that the Bees "under achieved" last season, the manager has taken steps to change matters.

 

Thirteen players from last season are named in the Barnet squad, with 19-year-old West Ham United goalkeeper David Blackmore having permission from his club to be one of the trialists Fairclough plans to introduce.