Louie Barry in: Stockport County’s dream XI for next season ft 2 realistic signings | OneFootball

Stockport County have a strong starting base after a confident League Two title win last term, meaning their dream XI for next season relies more on avoiding injuries than bringing in new faces.

Strengthening the squad depth at Edgeley Park will be key this summer, but just a couple of quality additions will be necessary to leave the Hatters with a strong starting line-up.

On account of a busy season in the treatment room throughout 2023/24, many of these names will feel like new signings if they arrive at the start of next season with a clean bill of health.

Here, FLW looks at County's dream XI for the start of next season...

The man between the sticks for County from the National League North will make history when he steps out onto the pitch as a League One goalkeeper at the beginning of next season.

Although the Hatters have declared their focus on younger players, exceptions were made for the two-year deal handed to the 35-year-old due not only to his stature at the club, but also because he is a thoroughly effective goalkeeper at this level, having picked up the League Two Golden Glove last term.

The release of back-up glovemen Jordan Smith and Bobby Jones means another stopper is likely to arrive, potentially to challenge Hinchliffe, but there is little doubt over who will take the position on the first day back.

RWB: Kyle Knoyle

Kyle Knoyle was already known at Edgeley Park for his ability to bomb down the wing and contribute to the team in an attacking sense, but last season, having turned out on the right of a back three for large parts, he proved he is also defensively sound too.

If Dave Challinor persists with the same shape heading into the third tier, his wing-backs may need to drop deeper and become part of a back five for tougher tests at the likes of Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers. Knoyle has shown he's ready to adapt to whichever role is required.

CB: Jay Mingi

The first summer signing at Edgeley Park, Jay Mingi, arrived from League Two survivors Colchester United. He also has a sprinkling of third-tier experience with stints at Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic.

He is often billed as a midfielder, but in his transfer announcement on the club website, director of football Simon Wilson declared Mingi's ability to play in up to three positions, with Challinor viewing him as suitable in a wide centre-back role, central midfield, right-back or right wing-back.

The County boss likes his defenders to be comfortable in possession with the ability to start attacks in deeper areas, something that Mingi will offer, which is why he's been deployed as one of those wide centre-backs in this XI.

CB: Fraser Horsfall

The key anchor in County's defensive unit last season, Fraser Horsfall is expected to be just as important for the League One challenge.

His solid presence at the back will be vital to knit together the young talent around him in the backline and, with the departure of Paddy Madden, he may even be in with a shout for the armband.

CB: Ethan Pye

One of the breakthrough stars at Edgeley Park in the 2023/24 campaign, it's set to be an important second season for young defender Ethan Pye.

He quickly became Horsfall's primary defensive partner last season thanks to his sturdiness in defence, but also his calming influence when on the ball, retaining and distributing possession like he's been doing it for years.

His recent three-year deal shows just how highly the 21-year-old is rated and, as a left-footed defender with the ability to play out from the back, managing to hold onto the young star until the close of the transfer window will be as much a cause for celebration as any new signing.

LWB: Ryan Rydel

Another young defender setting up for an important season is left wing-back Ryan Rydel. He suffered an ACL injury in training at the beginning of the last campaign, ruling him out of the rest of the season and somewhat stunting the progression he had already made.

With two goals and six assists in 26 League Two appearances the season before, he has already shown the creative spark he can provide down the left flank. He proved difficult to replace last season, with MLS loanee Ethan Bristow arriving in January in an attempt to pick up the slack.

Rydel already has 12 League One appearances under his belt for Fleetwood Town, but next season will be huge in terms of properly stamping his authority on that position.

CM: Will Collar

Will Collar was another notable absentee for much of the latter half of last season but still, impressively, managed to contribute four goals and six assists in his 20 league appearances.

A true box-to-box midfielder, just as comfortable in advanced areas as he is in more defensive zones, Collar will serve as a key link between defence and attack. Keeping him fit will be a key objective of the backroom staff at Edgeley Park this season.

CM: Lewis Fiorini

It was revealed by Football Insider that Manchester City academy product Lewis Fiorini is set to head to Edgeley Park on a permanent deal, and it's a move that makes sense for the Hatters.

Having lost some depth in the midfield area, the addition of the 22-year-old would work well to restore balance. It also fits neatly into owner Mark Stott's requirement for new signings to be young, with the potential to drive revenue for the club further down the line.

Fiorini, like Collar, has experience playing in both deeper and more advanced areas in the middle of the pitch, so the link-up between the pair in this central unit will be strong and also adaptable, dependent on the opponent and the stage each individual game is in; chasing a goal or protecting a lead.

With 44 League One games to his name, he will also add some well-needed third-tier experience to the line-up, something that is otherwise relatively sparse.

CAM: Nick Powell

If you were looking to find a weakness in the Hatters' squad, experience beyond the fourth tier would be a fair place to start. One man that charge can't be levelled at, however, is Nick Powell.

The 30-year-old has almost 200 Championship appearances to his name, and 39 run-outs in the third tier prior to the start of the season.

His three goals and one assist last season don't tell the true story of what he offered County last season, often providing the 'pass before the pass' and turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye. That playmaking ability mixed with pace in the frontline and strong runners from deep like Collar will likely be an important source of goals next season.

ST: Tanto Olaofe

Tanto Olaofe, scorer of 20 league goals in 43 appearances, had the strongest season of his senior career last term and deserved every penny of his new three-year deal.

He has already set his sights on notching 20 once again this season, despite the jump in level, but anything close to recreating last season's form this time out in the third tier will see him retain his status as one of County's most important players.

ST: Louie Barry

The saga over the transfer of Louie Barry continues to rumble on following Stott's pronouncement that the club are targetting his permanent signature.

Landing a hot prospect from a Premier League side would be a landmark move for the club, and he would slot straight into this dream XI, but it would be a difficult deal.

As an attacking duo, Olaofe and Barry have already shown how lethal they can be when they combine; they were the chief scorers through the Hatters' winning streak in the first half of last season.

Even if County only manage to land the Villa man on loan, the forward pair would undoubtedly be the source of a strong start to life in League One.