Studley player-coach Nicky Cross is dusting down his boots and preparing to roll back the years when he plays in the West Bromwich Albion Masters team on Saturday, writes Oliver Bhurrut.

Cross and his former number two at Redditch United Gary Hackett are in the ten man squad for the Midlands region of the Sky Sports over 35s event.

And the fiery forward claims the six-a-side competition will be anything but a light-hearted kick-a-round between has-beens in front of the Sky TV cameras.

In fact, he reckons there will be some old scores to settle dating back a decade or more!

But the forty something insists everyone will be the best of friends after the Baggies, Wolves, Villa and Blues have locked horns at the Coventry SkyDome Arena

The winners will go forward to the Grand Final of the British Masters Cup on Sunday, September 7 - time and venue yet to be confirmed.

Cross, 42, trod the Hawthorns turf for eight years between 1977 and 1985, making 119 appearances, including 40 as a substitute, and firing 19 goals.

He went on to play for neighbours Walsall, Leicester, Port Vale and Hereford before retiring as a pro at 35. The ex-Hawthorns hitman continued playing at non-league level with Solihull before going on to manage the Damson Park men and then becoming boss of the Reds.

Studley have confirmed four pre-season friendly dates with more to follow.

The Bees open at home to West Bromwich Albion Reserves on Sunday, July 20, visit Midland Alliance outfit Stourport Swifts on Tuesday 22, host Dr Martens Western favourites Halesowen Town on Tuesday 29 and are at home to third division Oxford United on Wednesday, August 6 in the U's final friendly before their league campaign.

Manager Mark Chambers is considering an offer to entertain Dr Martens Western side Bromsgrove Rovers on Thursday, July 31 and is set to return to former club Evesham United for another pre-season date.