TRIALISTS Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Adam Rundle were among those present as Accrington Stanley made a gruelling return to pre-season training.

After meeting up for the first time on Monday, the players were put through their paces at Wilson’s Playing Fields yesterday as Paul Cook prepares for his first full season in charge.

Summer signings Bohan Dixon and Lewis Hatch linked up with their new team-mates, while 18-year-old midfielder Luke Clark was also taking part in the taxing annual series of fitness tests as he looks set to complete his move after leaving Preston.

There were more experienced names present, too, in the form of Bridge-Wilkinson and Rundle.

The pair are both free agents after leaving Darlington, who have now been demoted from the Blue Square Premier to Northern League Division One following financial problems.

Both remained with the north east club on a non-contract basis for the second half of last season after their deals were terminated in January.

Bridge-Wilkinson, 33, is a left-sided attacking midfielder with vast Football League experience, having played for Derby, Port Vale, Bradford and Carlisle.

Right winger Rundle, 27, has featured for Rochdale and also played for Carlisle, Mansfield, Chesterfield and Morecambe.

Danny Coid also joined in training despite not being offered a new contract by Stanley at the end of last season. The 30-year-old former Blackpool defender missed the end of the campaign with a knee injury but was invited to pre-season to prove his fitness with a view to earning a new deal.

Charlie Barnett, who is expected to finalise terms over a new contract with Stanley this week, was another present at training.

Stanley’s League Two match at Burton Albion has been put back a day to Sunday, December 9 at 3pm because of a clash with a Derby County home fixture.

Former Reds striker Rory Boulding has joined Hearts on trial after leaving fellow Scottish side Livingston.