Phillips had added midfielder Daniel Greenfield on loan from Vanarama National League North side Gateshead, goalkeeper Shaun Rowley, winger Osebi Abadaki and striker Andre Johnson.

Rowley began his career at Shrewsbury Town and had been on loan at Watford, Halesowen Town, Chorley and Tamworth before joining FC Halifax on a free transfer in July 2018.

A move to Solihull Moors followed in August 2019 before he spent pre-season with Kettering Town.

The 23-year-old stands at 6'2” and was impressive as a triallist in the Gladiators 1-0 win at Tamworth last weekend.

Phillips says it was vital he brought in two good goalkeepers in the absence of the injured Jon Stewart.

“Goalkeeper is obviously a very important position and Jon’s going to be out for a while. We have the FA Cup game on Saturday and a lot of weeks playing Saturday/Tuesday/Saturday so we can’t be without a recognised goalkeeper for that length of time. Both Kyle and Shaun are good goalkeepers, both have been looking for a club and it’s our good luck that we have two good goalkeepers fighting for the shirt. I’ve got to pick the best one, it’s not only important we have a good number one bit a reliable number one also.”

Twenty-nine-year-old Nigerian Abadaki (pictured) has spent the pre-season at Buxton along with brother Godwin but has featured in Matlock’s friendly games at Trafford and Tamworth.

A pacey left winger, he began his career at Blackburn Rovers and has extensive non-League experience with Shaw Lane AFC, Stafford Rangers, Hyde United, Stalybridge Celtic, Mossley AFC, Ashton United, FC Halifax and Salford City before being at Hednesford Town last season.

“I’ve worked with Osebi before at Ashton, he’s strong, direct and quick, player of the year last year at Hednesford, he created our goal down at Tamworth and that directness he’s got is probably something we’ve been lacking” Phillips explained.

Johnson, 24, joins Matlock for a second time, previously being with the Gladiators for a short spell during the 2014/15 campaign under manager Dave Rushbury, who signed the former Derby County youngster from Worksop Town.

Since then he has had National League North experience at. Bradford Park Avenue, Alfreton Town and Boston United and in December 2017 scored Alfreton’s winner in a 1-0 Derbyshire Senior Cup victory over Matlock.

“Andre’s quick and can open games up” said Phillips. “I saw him a few times last year, I gather he’s been here before but was quite young then and had made quite a jump up the leagues. We need someone who can play on the last man, so it was a necessity we got him in.”

Ian Richardson