SAINTS boss Steve Castle believes departing assistant manager Andy Edwards will prove to be a success at Leyton Orient. It was announced last week that Edwards would be leaving Clarence Park to become the new youth team manager at League One side Orient a

SAINTS boss Steve Castle believes departing assistant manager Andy Edwards will prove to be a success at Leyton Orient.

It was announced last week that Edwards would be leaving Clarence Park to become the new youth team manager at League One side Orient and Castle believes the former Peterborough and Southend defender has all the qualities to succeed.

Speaking to The Herts Advertiser Castle said: "He's an outstanding coach and that's been noticed at various levels. He's been at Arsenal as an academy coach and Orient have noticed what a great coach he is."

"He's got a great opportunity to pursue a career with the youth team at Orient and I think he'll be a great success."

"He's been great for me and I think all the players will bear that out. He's very informative and very knowledgeable," he added.

Castle is in the process of looking for a replacement and says he has a few options available to him.

"Yes we'll replace him. Whether it will be just an assistant, an appointment from within or a player coming in as a coach is up in the air at the moment. I've spoken to a few people about coming in but strengthening the team is paramount."

City have been busy finalising their pre-season line up with friendlies against Brackley Town and Harlow Town confirmed.

The trip to Brackley, who play in the BGB Southern Premier, has been arranged for Saturday, July 18.

The game came about after Castle accepted a request from former Cambridge United team-mate and current Brackley boss Jon Brady.

City will then travel to Barrows Farm to take on Harlow Town on Tuesday, July 21, at a ground City fans have bad memories of following the club's 3-2 FA Cup exit last season.

Castle believes that will probably be the end to the club's pre-season schedule this year.

"We've got another friendly against Brackley Town on the July 18, and I think that will probably be it. We got a few more requests in than usual this year."

He added: "We'll probably get a few more players in and seeing them in competitive or semi-competitive games is probably the best way rather than looking at them in training.