MAGPIES’ assistant Trevor Senior admitted it was good to get back out on the training ground with Dorchester Town and insisted “you could see things starting to take shape”.

A large turnout of players across the county town club’s first-team and reserve set-up, as well a couple of trialists, joined up for their first session with Senior, manager Craig Laird and first-team coach Stuart Heath all present.

And with Senior stepping back into a role with the Magpies having been appointed this summer, he admitted it was good to be back.

Asked about the session, the former Bridport boss told Echosport: “There was a good turnout with more than 40 there including the reserves as well.

“Obviously during the first session they are all feeling their way into it, getting to know new names and faces – it’s like the first day back at school really!

“But it won’t take long to gel and, even towards the end of the session, you could see things starting to take shape.”

Senior revealed the Magpies’ squad were given a structure to follow over the summer to give them a head start.

“Craig had sent them all programmes to keep them ticking over during the summer and it looks as though they have been doing that,” he added. “He is going to concentrate on getting the team shape over the next few weeks and how he wants to play because it’s almost a new squad really.

“He wants to see everybody bed in, know their jobs and give them all a fighting chance.

“I know Craig wants to give everybody a fair chance and try to get as many minutes into them as he can.”

Asked about his role in the set-up the Magpies’ number two described his position as “refreshing”.

“To be fair, it’s good for me to take a bit of the weight of Craig and Stuart’s shoulders,” he said.

“Craig plans to do a bit more on the training ground than he did last year, obviously he was under pressure to try and keep the team up then.

“I am just there to assist, which is a different role for me. I haven’t done it for many years so it’s quite refreshing to be able to stand back and watch someone else work.”

The Magpies are set to undergo another fitness session this morning before training once again on Tuesday.