SIMON KELLY could be set to test his classy skills against some real top men on Saturday when Premiership new boys Bolton Wanderers come calling at Stainton Park.

Wanderers' manager Sam Allardyce has promised to send a strong squad for the glamour pre-season friendly and the Boro contingent can't wait to lock horns with their illustrious neighbours.

Radcliffe will have new signings Richard Landon and Eamon Elliott in their squad and there could be a place on the bench for Daisy Hill trialist Ryan Cain.

"It will be a good test for the likes of Simon Kelly and Danny Hurst," said Boro boss Kevin Glendon.

Kelly has attracted a lot of attention with his displays for Boro over the last 12 months and it is surprising a bid has not come in from a club higher up the non-league ladder when you consider scouts from several league cluibs ran the rule over the 22-year-old centre back last term.

Hurst had a spell with Manchester City last season after impressing between the sticks for Boro. And while that period at Maine Road was mainly geared to seeing how Hurst performed in higher company, it can only have benefitted him and it might not be long before the scouts are sniffing around him too.

Tickets for the game against Bolton have been selling well. Boro put 100 on sale for people wanting to avoid queuing on the day and there are around 40 of those left.

Admission prices on Saturday are £7 and £3 and spectators are advised to get to the ground early as a crowd in the region of 2,000 is anticipated.

It's the first and last chance fans will get to see the Wanderers in action locally before the big kick-off in the Premiership on August 18.

A home friendly against Atletico Bilbao has been postponed and their other friendlies are away from home, along with a pre-season trip abroad.

That has heightened expectations at Stainton Park and the Boro backroom staff are keeping their fingers crossed that a few of the Wanderers' big name stars will be included in their squad. Michael Ricketts against Simon Kelly and Dean Holdsworth coming up against James Price will be interesting to say the least.

Boro will be led once again by skipper Mark Dempsey. At one stage towards the end of last season the former Manchester United midfielder was contemplating retiring from the playing side of the game, but he is carrying on and his experience, having played at clubs like Sheffield United, Rotherham and Grimsby in the Football League, will be invaluable against the Wanderers.

Striker Landon, who also had spells at Plymouth and Macclesfield, and Elliott, who was with Ossett last season, will add to the interest for the Boro fans, but the hosts will have to do without the services of David Bean, Gus Wilson, Scott, Wilsonand Andy Walker, who are all away on holiday.

Nevertheless, Glendon added: "It should be a brilliant day. There has been a lot of talk about it and if that is reflected in the attendance we should get a decent crowd."