DORCHESTER Town manager Callum Brooks has challenged midfielder James Granger to prove his quality during the Magpies’ pre-season campaign.

Granger, signed at the back end of last term, is yet to be offered a deal with the county town club but has been invited in for pre-season.

The former Poole and Basingstoke man made just four appearances for the Magpies before a rib injury curtailed his stint with Brooks’ men.

However, Granger’s experience of National League South football is coveted and despite time on the treatment table Brooks is eager to give the midfielder a chance to prove his worth.

He told Echosport: “James I’ve offered pre-season to. I worked with him when I was at Poole in the National League South and he was a lad who looked like he might kick on from that level with some of his performances.

“In the couple of years since then, what’s happened is rather than do that he’s been hampered with injuries and has struggled to get game time.

“Again, being sensible, James feels that under my guidance he might be able to get himself back to that level. I agree with him, but with the injuries there’s no guarantee we can do that.

“It’s a case of James coming in pre-season, if that’s what he decides to do, and getting himself to those levels and if he does, he’s a good player at our level and possibly the level above.

“He won’t have too many problems getting football whether it’s with us or someone else.

“I need a commitment from James to come in and show that he’s determined to get himself back to those levels.”

Brooks also shed light on the situation of Josh Williams who is set to be offered a deal for next season.

“Josh is another one I’ve been speaking to all summer,” Brooks revealed.

“Josh will dual-sign somewhere. We’re in talks with a couple of clubs but Josh will sign with us and remain a Dorchester player.

“But for the bulk of his league football we’re looking to get him out to a club and for him to play game after game.

“You don’t go from where Josh was last year to being a regular starter at Southern League level. It’s a process.

“So we’ve devised the next step for Josh which is to get himself to a club which is going to give him opportunities to play plenty of minutes on the pitch in competitive matches, so we’re in the process of that.

“All the players with question marks there’s a firm, logical plan in place for them.”