Young without crucial three

HUNTINGDON Town will be missing three key players when they kick-off their season at home to Thrapston on Saturday, but manager Darren Young is still optimistic. Only two or three players remain from last year s first team, with Young turning to his forme

HUNTINGDON Town will be missing three key players when they kick-off their season at home to Thrapston on Saturday, but manager Darren Young is still optimistic.

Only two or three players remain from last year's first team, with Young turning to his former club Peterborough Northern Star, and a number of local lads to build a new squad.

But he told The Hunts Post his team has been left without three key players: Chris Casswell, Ricky Dear (both injured) and Stuart Marshall (unavailable).

"There has been a bit of a shake-up here," said Young. "There's only a few players left from last season and initially we were looking at building around the local lads, but we have made a few good signings."

One of the new boys - although he has played for Huntingdon before - is Carl Yezek, who was brought in from Northern Star.

And there's also one or two of the youth team who will be useful squad players this season, said Young.

"Jordan Middleton is one of the youth lads who will be in the squad. He has been impressive in the pre-season friendlies and he's still only 17-years-old. He's a great prospect, but just needs to learn the game a bit more."

Young believes his new-look squad will start the season looking for promotion, but said finishing in the top five would make him a happy manager.

"The league is difficult this year, and some teams have been investing a bit of money, so it's going to be a lot tighter than last year."

Town's last pre-season test will be against a Peterborough United XI at Jubilee Park tonight (Wednesday), kicking off at 7.45pm.

The league action starts at home to Thrapston on Saturday.

* Eynesbury Rovers open their season with a trip to Daventry on Saturday.