MANAGER Russell Dodd says his strongest line-up will become clear in the coming weeks, as his Highgate United side continue to take shape in the final weeks of pre-season.
The Gate go into their final two warm-up games on the back of the news that the prolific Lei Brown will be staying on at The Coppice for the new season.
Dodd is excited by the prospect of Brown tearing up Midland Football League defences once more, and remains hopeful that his new look side can gel quickly.
“Everyone in Midlands non-league football knows Brownie, and they know what to expect,” he said.
“His experience and goals are invaluable, and he certainly deserves his tag of ‘Lethal Lei’.
“The team is currently in a transition period, but we have brought in both experience and quality to add to the core of last season’s returning players.
“Stuart Hendrie, Liam Holt and Connor Doyle have all played at a higher standard, and all three are keen to do well at their new club.
“Liam was injured during our first pre-season friendly at Knowle, but he will hopefully be fit come August 3.”
The new Highgate boss has offered opportunities to a number of youngsters in pre-season, including under-21 forward George Robbins who was named the MFL U21 Player of the Year, and has been left pleased by the application of his troops in training – who have been put through their paces by fitness coach Dennis Mulholland.
A 2-1 victory in the most recent pre-season game against Rugby Town came courtesy of a goal from new boy Doyle and a Connor Wright strike, putting the Gate in good stead ahead of visits to Atherstone Town on Tuesday (7.45pm) and Chelmsley Town on Saturday (3pm).
