WHEN Manchester Magic romped to the treble last season, they did so with arguably the strongest squad assembled in EBL history.

Whether the pool of players that defends the EBL1 crown, National Cup and Play-off title is as deep remains to be seen.

Coach Jeff Jones will have most of his successful British contingent from last season available – and has recruited two promising American imports in point guard Brandon Kimbrough and forward Nate Hainje.

But he has lost the dependable Andrew MacKay to his native Canada, while crowd-pleasing Brit young gun Orlan Jackman is continuing his basketball education in America.

And there remains a question mark over the futures of two key English players.

Jones is trying to find outside employment for league MVP Duncan Ogilvie and guard Andre Rankine to supplement what Magic can offer them.

Ogilvie – who recently gained his masters degree in sports science from Manchester Metropolitan University – wants job in strength and conditioning with a club outside basketball and will stay with the team if he can find one.

Rankine is looking for a ‘second job’ in teaching.

“We are working on the situation with Duncan and Andre and doing our best to keep them,” said Jones. “We have not got as many in as we had at this time last year, but the two Americans arrive in a week or so and we have some irons in the fire.

“We were very strong last year and it may be that we revert in part to what we do best – bringing through good youngsters and throwing them in with our top players.”

Magic are certain to be favourites whatever happens – and have a raft of promising kids waiting for their chance.

But it doesn’t stop Jones casting an envious eye at the summer recruitment of some of the fully professional BBL teams, especially as some are bagging former Manchester products who are now out of Magic’s price range.

Jones’ elder son James has signed for the fast-rising Everton Tigers after a year with Guildford Heat, while Heat have just snapped up another Magic graduate, Alan Metcalfe, on his return from college ball in the States.

“It’s a bit galling, but it is a matter of resources,” said Jones. “We would like to competing at the top level especially with some of the talent that has come through the club.

“The city deserves a team in the top flight and we are making some moves towards that. We are continuing to push forward and things are developing and looking pretty positive.”

Magic face Everton in a pre-season warm-up challenge at Liverpool's Echo Arena ahead of Great Britain's Eurobasket Division A clash with Israel on September 13.