NOTTS County's new-look midfield will be a major force in League Two, said Matt Hamshaw ahead of tonight's friendly at Arnold Town.

Hamshaw is the only midfielder at Meadow Lane who was with the Magpies last season.

Richard Butcher, Gavin Strachan and Adam Nowland were released and Player of the Year Myles Weston rejected a new deal to join League Two champions Brentford.

They have been replaced by Ricky Ravenhill, who was McParland's first summer signing from Darlington, Neal Bishop from Barnet and Ben Davies, who left last season's losing play-off finalists Shrewsbury to pen a three-year deal with County.

Hamshaw believes the trio will make Notts' midfield much stronger than last season.

He said: "It's going to be a very different midfield. We will be more solid and creative.

"All three of them have a lot of experience at this level, and they have all got a lot of ability.

"I'm looking forward to playing alongside them. We all offer something different.

"Ricky is the type of player who hunts the ball down, Bish (Bishop) likes to get forward and Ben creates a lot of chances.

"Myles chose to leave but Ben can play on the left and there are a lot of good wingers out there if the manager chooses to bring one in.

"I'm sure we will be a lot stronger."

Hamshaw is also delighted defender Graeme Lee has joined the club on a two-year deal from Bradford City.

The pair are good friends and spent two years together at Sheffield Wednesday earlier in their careers.

"He's my best mate. We go out quite a lot together with our wives, so I know him really well," he added.

"He's a good player and a leader so he will be great to have in the dressing-room.

"It's great for me personally because we get on so well."

The Magpies trip to Arnold will be their third pre-season friendly, after playing twice in Austria last week. Hamshaw scored in the 3-0 win against SV Austria Salzburg in the second friendly, after they lost 3-2 to Universtiatiea Craiova.