Needham Market and Great Wakering Rovers meet at Bloomfields today and both sides are in good form, having recorded good wins in their final pre-season friendly games.

It is two years since the teams last met in the Ryman League with Great Wakering having been consigned to the Essex Senior League for that period, before gaining promotion last season.

Needham have no major injury worries apart from the long-term injury to Ollie Brown and it is hoped that Ollie Fenn will be back on the bench today.

Luke Hammond has also returned to the club, while youngsters Brendon Heath and George Clark are also expected to be in the squad.

Manager Mark Morsley has shown his faith in the youngsters by giving them game time during the pre-season friendlies, while also showing a willingness to change his system and the players have responded well.

Goals were at a premium for Needham Market last year but as demonstrated recently more players are willing to shoot and there is always Sam Newson on hand to tuck chances away.

Defence and midfield are looking as strong as last year and the Danny Cunningham/Ryan Crisp partnership in attack adds a different dimension.

Elsewhere, AFC Sudbury begin their Ryman League North campaign away at Cray Wanderers today.

Manager David Batch will be without Scott Mitchell (Leiston), Jamie Forshaw (Wroxham), James Crisell (Needham Market) and Steve Spriggs (King’s Lynn, three-month loan) who have all moved on but will have former Nottingham Forest forward Wesley Hause at his disposal after signing the player following a successful pre-season trial.

Former Barnet defender Lee Flynn, who played and was assistant manager at Grays Athletic last season, will also be in the squad.