Stafford Rangers manager Greg Clowes insists his Marston Road project is just beginning after a mixed bag of results in pre-season.

Rangers have lost three out of four friendlies going into tonight’s visit of Norton United, with the game switched after problems with the North West Counties League outfit’s pitch.

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Rocester left last Thursday’s 3-2 win at Stone Dominoes as Clowes’ sole success so far, although the manager has had to do without players in every game since taking charge.

The pre-season schedule will be stepped up after tonight’s game with three home clashes in a row starting with the visit of Blue Square Premier club Tamworth on Saturday, before AFC Telford and Woodley Sports visit Marston Road next Monday and the following Saturday respectively.

With what’s to come in mind, Clowes will continue to utilise his squad tonight but admits a settled side will need to be established soon.

He said: “What would concern me was if we weren’t creating chances and we have created enough chances to win 10 games.

“I am not looking at results, at the minute, I want to see fitness levels and togetherness, a lot of these players have played together at a previous club but we have other lads in as well.

“We have to build a team spirit.”

Clowes will be looking to name a similar squad as the last two games tonight which means further run-outs for trialists Danny Edwards, Sean Jones, James Marsden and Joe Rogers.

Luke Chapman has signed non-contract forms for Rangers and is available, along with winger Rob Stevenson who is likely to put pen to paper on a deal shortly.

But Rangers must again do without Glynn Blackhurst, Kevin Street, Sean Kinsella, Charlie Reeves and Peter Heler, although they are expected back on Saturday.

Blackhurst is unavailable and Street is still nursing a hamstring problem, while Kinsella has yet to play in pre-season after a hip injury.

Reeves has sat out the last two games while Heler has only featured in the opening friendly, a 6-2 home defeat to Port Vale, with foot and ankle injuries respectively.