TOOLSTATION League outfit Wellington begin their build-up to the new football season with a friendly away to Tiverton Town on Tuesday.

“Tiverton have a fantastic set-up and it’s a chance for the lads to play against a Southern League side,” said Wellington boss Clive Jones.

“I expect everyone will want to play in this one and it’s a chance for them to show what they can do.”

However, Jones is finding it extremely difficult to attract new players to Wellington,

“It looks as though we will be fielding very much a Wellington-based side this coming season,” said Jones. “However, I was pleased with the turnout for our first pre-season training session of 43 last week.

“We have to do the best we can with the players we have - there is no other way.

“Tuesday’s friendly will show us what we need to achieve to be successful. And I have three weeks to put out a side capable of being competitive in the Premier Division of the Toolstation League.

“I’m not panicking but it has been difficult to freshen things up when you have no new players. However I will be including triallists at Tiverton. These are players who have not signed for Wellington but they will be able to show me what they can do.”

Another disappointment for Jones is that two of his most senior players Tim Legg and Glen Wright will both miss the opening two league games of the season, while Jack Porter has a new role in the RAF and will not be available until at least October.

“At the moment things are conspiring against me but I’m working hard to put a side together,” added Jones who begins his fifth season in charge, having enjoyed 15 successful years at nearby Willand Rovers. “I must admit this is the toughest pre-season I’ve ever had.”