DORCHESTER Town are hoping to secure the services of at least two new players after their first pre-season training session tomorrow.

The Magpies' director of football, Shaun Brooks, is waiting for the players to put pen-to-paper following the team's first get together at Chapel Gate, Bournemouth, ahead of the forthcoming season.

He said: "A couple of new lads will be coming down tomorrow but nothing is concrete yet. Hopefully they will sign contracts after training and we can announce their signatures."

Brooks' squad will begin their preparations for the upcoming Blue Square South campaign, which kicks off away at St Albans City on August 11.

The Saints finished bottom of last year's Nationwide Conference and Brooks believes they will provide a stern test for his men.

"It's a tough start that's for sure. We'll have to do our homework on them especially as they are new opposition."

Dorchester then play host to Havant & Waterlooville who missed out on promotion via the play-offs last season, followed by Lewes at home and Welling United away, two teams who finished in the top half of the table. Brooks though, is excited at the prospect of such a difficult start to the season.

"I'm glad we've got a harder start than an easier one, it will give us a real idea of where we are as a team.

"There's been a lot of changes at the club and there is a new bunch of players.

"We've got around five weeks now to get ourselves ready for the first game, so we'll be working hard to make sure we set a good benchmark for ourselves in the first few games of the season."

Facilities The Magpies' chief was also happy that the team will have much better training facilities in Bourne-mouth at their disposal.

He added: "Training on a better surface will hopefully be a good advantage for the players. The vast majority of the side will be present for our first session tomorrow so that's another positive, particularly given the fact that several of our players are part-time."

The county town side will be hoping that Bath City show their generous side over the festive period as Dorchester face a double-header against the league newcomers on Boxing Day (home) and New Year's Day (away).

Looking at the season as a whole Brooks said: "We'll take each game as it comes. It's dangerous to look at a group of games and think we've got to get nine points out of that', instead we will look to do the best we can in each match.

"We will certainly be competitive."