FORMER Warrington Wolves winger Rob Smyth will make his debut for Chorley Lynx as they begin their build-up for the new rugby league season this Sunday.

The ex-Wigan and London Broncos back was snapped up earlier this week from Wolves and is in the squad to face Widnes Vikings Under 21s in a pre-season friendly at Victory Park, kick off 3pm.

Smyth became a crowd favourite during this three years at Wilderspool, but injury ruled him out of the majority of last year's Super League campaign.

However, still only 26 and with a proven Super League try scoring record under his belt, his signing represents something of a coup for the Lynx to prise him from the top flight into National League Two, where they finished runners-up last season.

That was under the guidance of coach Darren Abram, who has left the club to take up a similar position with Leigh Centurions, so ex-Salford assistant coach Mark Lee is preparing for his first campaign in charge at Victory Park.

Lynx have lost 11 players from last season's successful squad with Mark McCully, Dave McConnell and Mick Coates following Abram to Leigh.

Craig Wingfield and Ian Hodson have joined Swinton Lions whilst Dave Whittle, Dave Ingram, Craig Dean and the legendary Tim Street have retired.

Other departures have seen John Braddish joining Rochdale while Anton Garcia has returned to Doncaster Dragons after a season-long loan and Chris Campbell, who joined the Lynx on loan from Oldham, has also signed for Rochdale.

New coach Lee has, however, been active in recruiting players and as well as Smyth, also coming on board from his old club Salford are Gary O'Regan and Danny Barton.

Lee Patterson and John Hill have signed from Wigan, ex-Lynx man Neil Alexander has re-signed for the club after playing for Workington Town last season and the much travelled Anthony Murray is also a new recruit after he also spent time at Workington last year.

Other signings include Dave Cunliffe from Liverpool St Helens Rugby Union, Carl Jones, Gary Smith, Adam Briggs and Daryl Lacey. Lee will be without the injured Lee Rowley and Mick Redford, but he intends to use all other members of his squad against the youngsters of Widnes.