Martin Allen says he expects to play a side in each half as the Bees step up their pre-season preparations by hosting Peterborough United on Saturday.

The Bees returned to training at the Hive on July 3 and with the new Conference season less than a month away (August 9), Allen will use Saturday's game with the Posh to give all his squad members some minutes.

“This Saturday we’ve got a team to play for the first 45 minutes and then another team to play for the second 45 minutes," Allen told the club website.

"Obviously it will be a competitive game but it is also part of our training schedule, and with another competitive game against our local rivals Stevenage on Tuesday night it is key that we get as many players as possible through 45 minutes without getting any injuries."

Despite the additions of Dan Bradley, John Akinde and Sam Muggleton, the Bees squad is only 17-strong - prior to Iffy Allen's leg break - meaning Allen will use the game to run the rule over several trialists as well.

“We’ve got a lot of players who have been training with us recently so this game is going to give me a chance to look at them and see how they do. It’s not really fair for me to say who the trialists are or who has been training with us, but it looks like we have got a centre forward lined up," revealed Allen.

"We haven’t quite signed the contract but it has all been agreed verbally and we have shaken hands so when it all comes to fruition I think everyone will be pretty happy with him."

Continued Allen: “We’ve also got another couple of players that we’re looking at that are close to signing so I’m starting to feel a little bit better about our chances for next season, but over the next few weeks everything can be revealed.”

Saturday's game will also be Peterborough's first game since their League One play-off second leg defeat by Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road in May.

Captain Tommy Rowe and Craig Alcock were among those released by boss Darren Ferguson following a season owner Darragh McAnthony described as an 'epic failure'.

Midfielder Danny Swanson has also left to join League One rivals Coventry City and energetic full-back Mark Little has departed for Bristol City.

There have been three summer additions , though, with speedy Shrewsbury Town winger Jon Taylor, Dulwich Hamlet hot-shot Erhun Oztumer and former Posh skipper Gabi Zakuani all completing switches to London Road.