Harrogate Town v Solihull Moors: Tom Lees expected to miss opening-day fixture

The 35-year-old defender, who was one of the Sulphurites’ headline summer signings, is rated by manager Simon Weaver as a major doubt for Saturday’s opening National League fixture of the new term.

Former Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday man Lees picked up a minor calf issue earlier this summer, which meant that he was unable to play or train with Rotherham during his trial there last month.

That same issue meant that he was not involved in Town’s final pre-season friendly, last weekend’s 2-1 win over Scarborough Athletic.

And, although Lees has been training with his new team-mates since Monday morning, it is felt that this Saturday’s clash with Solihull will come just too soon for him.

“Tom did have that issue before he came to us last week, but he was able to train on Monday and was fine,” Weaver told the Harrogate Advertiser.

"He is a model professional and, as you would imagine, is meticulous in his preparation.

"It’s just about being careful, building his work up and not rushing him back too soon.

"I would like to have him available for Saturday, but I think he may just miss out. We will wait and see though.”

Winger Ellis Taylor and midfielder Ben Fox will definitely miss out against Moors as they continue their rehabilitation from injuries picked up at the back end of the previous campaign.

In addition, defender Grant Horton faces a spell on the sidelines after damaging his thigh during last month’s friendly win at Cleethorpes, while new signing Josh Hmami is recovering from a minor muscular issue and is unlikely to be available for selection.

But, Weaver is positive regarding midfielder Morgan Williams and forward Ciaran McGuckin’s chances of playing some part this Saturday after neither player was risked against Scarborough.

Williams sat in the stands for that game, while McGuckin was named as a substitute but did not come on after reporting during the half-time warm-up that he could still feel the muscular issue he picked up at South Shields a fortnight ago.

"Morgan has had an injection and Ciaran was able to train on Monday, so I am hopeful on both fronts,” Weaver added.

"We need competition for places and these are two lads who we have brought in because we think they can be big players for us.

"So we want them available at the weekend.”

Striker Brad Dolaghan, who became Harrogate’s 11th signing of the summer earlier this week, is in contention to feature against Solihull, with that game scheduled to kick-off at 3pm at the Marcy Fitness Stadium.