NEW boss Lee Wood is facing a race against time to get Gornal Athletic ready for the new season.

Wood has been in charge for only a week at Garden Walk and is working hard to ready the squad for the approaching West Midland's League Division One campaign.

The manager arrives following spells coaching at Walsall Academy, West Bromwich Albion Women and at youth level at Stourbridge.

The Uefa B Licence holder has also named Adam Kirkby as his assistant at the Peacocks.

The duo have been brought in following the departure of former boss Brendon Wilkinson last week.

Wilkinson was appointed at the start of June to replace last season's manager Matt Fisher but then stepped down without taking charge of a single game due to health issues.

Wilkinson had already started his pre-season preparations before an on-going back problem became more severe.

That has opened the door for Wood to lead Gornal's 2018/19 season.

He said: "It's not ideal the way it all happened and to come in just three weeks before the start of the season is tough, but nothing is straight forward in football.

"It's now a test of how well we adapt.

"It's a really good opportunity and the club really does seem to be heading in the right direction and looking to build in the right manner.

"My main concern was about numbers but we have managed to get a team together with a mix of players from last season and a lot of youngsters.

"There are plenty of positives already but I'm still looking to bring more players in if possible. We could probably do with a few more experienced heads in the squad."

On his hopes for the season ahead, he added: "The club have been really fair with me. They wanted to get promotion this season but they realise the situation and aren't putting the pressure on.

"It's hard to talk about aims for the season after only a week but we all want to win things and do our best but we need to realise that it may take time.

"If we can't get a few more players in with the right experience then I may have to fall back on my coaching experience and try and help the players we have."