The hot-shot forward missed the final 10 games of last season with a blood clot on his knee which needed operating on.

But he is back and raring to go for Mark Wood’s charges and even bagged a brace on his return to action in the club’s 3-1 pre-season victory Huntington Rovers.

Salt said: “I am delighted to be back and to net a couple of goals on my return was very pleasing.

“I was gutted to get injured and it was very frustrating to sit out the end of the season.

“I had to have an operation and that set me back but I am back now feeling fit and strong and can’t wait for the season to get going.”

The Pikes were frustrated about not being able to get promotion from the Northern Counties East Premier Division last season because of restrictions on their Mill Lane ground, but that has all been fixed and they are ready for a promotion push in the forthcoming campaign.

Salt added: “We have a very strong aquad and have made one or two signings.

“Striker Steve Ward has signed for us from Parkgate and Tom Adams has returned. We also have a young defender called Lyall Hillier who has come in and looked very strong.

“Joe Connor is our captain again and we have Ricky Greening, Dean MacAuley, Michael McNaughton, Steve Swales and Wayne Aziz who are all very good players.

“We are all confident of having a good season and we definitely have the ability to be up at the top end of the table.”

The Pikes face Scarborough Athletic in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday July 29 at Mill Lane with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Midfielder George Rose has left Pickering to sign for the new Scarborough Town side.