PETER JACKSON believes Town are on course to hit the ground running in Coca-Cola League I - but he concedes they cannot afford many injuries or suspensions.

Midfielder Lee Fowler is extremely doubtful for tonight's visit to Farsley Celtic (7.45) and, while Pawel Abbott has a slight hamstring strain, the 22-man squad is just about intact.

Jackson will make decisions tomorrow on whether to sign trialists Akpo Sodje and Steve Haslam, who both play at Throstle Nest, but he's content with preparations for the campaign proper.

"I'm very happy with the squad and we've got a strong bench, but we can't afford suspensions and injuries when it comes to the League season," said Jackson.

"At the moment we are fine overall, fitness levels are excellent and the lads just can't wait to get cracking.

"We had a successful season last time and those same personnel deserve the chance to show what they can do in the higher division.

"On last night's evidence they will do fine and we will go to Macclesfield on Saturday determined to improve still further."

Jackson had his whole squad at Millmoor following Saturday's below-par display in the 2-2 draw at Harrogate Town.

"I want passion and commitment and that wasn't there on Saturday, so I had all those lads down at Rotherham to see what I'm after this season," he said.

"While the goals were own goals, they came from quality delivery from Tony Carss and Nathan Clarke, who I thought played well when he went on, and in the second half we moved the ball well and everyone joined in.

"It was pleasing to keep a clean sheet, because I'm confident we are always going to score goals, and the defence were very solid indeed from start to finish.

"Ian Gray wasn't really bothered in goal and he gets better by the game after what was an horrendous injury last season.

"I'm pleased with how it's all coming together and I'll be able to judge exactly where we are after the Macclesfield game."

Jackson believes a much more settled pre-season build-up than 12 months ago is starting to serve Town well and he hopes that will be reflected when the chips are down at Edgeley Park a week on Saturday.

"In previous matches I've been making a lot of substitutions to make sure all the players have the right amount of game time, but last night there were just three," he said.

"I just wanted to give Boothy a bit of a rest after a good display and I thought it was important to have a look at Steve Yates and Clarkey for half a game each. The final sub of Abbott for Junior Mendes was just precautionary."