Stuart McCall is convinced City's summer influx of "30-somethings" possess the energy and hunger for next season's push for promotion.

Paul McLaren has followed Graeme Lee, Paul Arnison and Chris Brandon into Valley Parade to give McCall's squad a healthy injection of Coca-Cola League One experience.

But while there is no doubting the quality of the new arrivals, a few concerns have been voiced about their ages - all four are over 30.

It brings back memories of the so-called "Dad's Army" that Paul Jewell led into the Premier League.

But McCall, who played on until he was 40, insists that age is no cause to fret and believes there are enough younger legs in the ranks to complement them and provide the right balance for success.

Talking to the Telegraph & Argus the City chief said: "I'm really pleased with the quality we've brought in and they will make a difference.

"Fitness-wise they may not be 16 or 18 but we've got experience, leadership and quality.

"People may look at their ages and worry about signing players who are 30, 31 or 32 but you wouldn't question David Beckham's fitness and he is 33.

"We've got youngsters like Kyle Nix, Joe Colbeck and Willy Topp who can run around alongside them.

"We're getting there with the squad and have a nice balance now but I'm still looking to bring in a couple more, with a goalkeeper and at least one striker - you never sit still."

McLaren said: "You can see the gaffer's thinking in bringing more experienced lads into the club. The squad here is quite young and hopefully we'll have a good blend."

Brandon, the oldest of the new boys at 32, said: "I don't look at age in a bad light. These days, people assume you are past it at a certain age but that's total rubbish."

With David Wetherall moving over to the coaching staff, Peter Thorne, 35, and Paul Heckingbottom, who turns 31 in a fortnight, were the oldest players at the end of last season.

When City kicked off the top-flight campaign in 1999, ten of Jewell's squad were past 30. Dean Saunders, 35, came off the bench at Middlesbrough to score their first Premier League goal.

Meanwhile, McCall has denied a report that City have invited New Zealand under-20 centre half Jack Pelter to join them for pre-season.

McCall said: "He played in one of the trial games here at the end of last season but he's not come back again."