Ex-pros Jake Reed and Rossi Jarvis set for debuts with Ryman Premier Division Lowestoft Town

Lowestoft Town joint boss Micky Chapman believes the signings of Rossi Jarvis and Jake Reed demonstrate the Blues' continuing ambition despite their difficult start to the season.

The Trawlerboys will be hoping to bounce back from a difficult week against Carshalton Athletic at Crown Meadow this afternoon (kick-off 3pm) when only three points will do if the club still have promotion aspirations even at this early stage.

Both Reed and Jarvis are likely to start after signing contracts with the Blues on Thursday and Chapman believes their captures show the club is still trying move forward.

'They're both big signings for the club and by bringing these two lads in it shows the ambition we've still got – we've brought quality in,' said Chapman, who has helped shed the squad of the likes of Greg Crane and Danny Cunningham as the management team look to remould the squad.

'The ambition of this club has always been there - there are people working both on and off the field to make sure we progress. That won't change. We will just keep working hard and I'm sure we will come out the other side and be up there again.'

Lowestoft's indifferent start hit a new low on Tuesday night when they were hammered 4-0 by Bury in the Suffolk Premier Cup.

It followed on from defeat to Maidstone last weekend but Chapman is adamant the Blues can turn their season round and get back in the leading mix of the Ryman League Premier once again.

'We've had four years of success really and starting the season well,' he added. 'It hasn't started so well so far this season and we know that.

'But we know that if keep working hard then we will be able to turn it around. We will get ourselves right again and we will be up there competing - I'm sure of it.'

Chapman has assured fans there will be no repeat of last weekend's capitulation at Maidstone when, after going 2-0 down, Lowestoft visibly wilted.

'What was disappointing on Saturday was that our heads dropped and the lads were told in no uncertain terms not to let that happen again,' he said. 'That doesn't happen at Lowestoft Town Football Club and the lads know that.

'I think we can count ourselves a little unlucky because we played well for an hour but we've got to start taking our chances when we're on top in games. We know we've got goals in the team and we've got to start converting the chances we're creating.'

Lowestoft will be without Curtis Haynes-Brown this afternoon and the defender faces weeks on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring against Bury. Bradley Woods-Garness is also unlikely to feature due to a continuing knee problem.