Striker Luke Reynolds has been persuaded out of retirement to lead the Market Drayton Town attack for their first ever game in the UniBond League.

Reynolds, who was prolific for the club earlier in the decade and went on to set new goalscoring records at AFC Telford United as well, has agreed to don his boots once again after talks with manager Simon Line.

The 30-year-old goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s first game of the division one south season at home to Grantham Town.

His arrival is a boost for Line, who has 10 players sidelined through injury and suspension for the start of the season.

“Luke’s going to help us on a short-term basis to get us going,” said Line, who led his side to the Midland Alliance title last season.

“It’s great news for us because he brings experience and quality.

He had said he was going to retire but I managed to get him to meet me and he’s agreed to come and play the first few games to help us out.”

Line has further strengthened his threadbare squad with the capture of two more new faces from premier division side Nantwich Town on a similar basis.

Wide player Jay Lawrence, who was with Evesham last season, and defender Dominic Brownsfield, who was on Port Vale’s books as a youngster, have both agreed terms.

Line expects Grantham to pose a major examination of his team as they look to establish themselves at the higher level.

The Lincolnshire outfit are among the promotion favourites this year and will arrive at Greenfields looking to stamp their class on the division. “I had a look on the non-League website yesterday and there was a big piece about how they are the best supported club in the league,” he said.

“They’ve got big ambitions this year and they have a big squad packed with good players, so it’s a real baptism of fire for us.

“The good news is that they know nothing about us.”

By CHRIS HUDSON