Fakenham Town begin their Thurlow Nunn First Division campaign on Saturday against a Whitton United side who manager Wayne Anderson believes could finish among the top five – not that he fears them or anyone.

The Ghosts finished fifth last time out with the Suffolk side two places and six points further back.

'We are coming up against a side that will probably finish in the top four or five this season,' he said.

'I went to watch Whitton in one of their recent friendlies so I know roughly what they are about and they have still got most of their players from last season, as well as one or two new lads who have joined them.

'But if we are on our game and if we play the way we can do then I do not fear anyone in our league. We are a side that can certainly finish in the top three or four if we start well.'

Anderson's men wrapped up their pre-season fixtures seven days ago with a 10-0 win away to Anglian Combination Division Two side Hoveton Wherrymen.

Centre-half Lee Day is unavailable for Whitton's visit and striker Ben Boyce (knee) remains sidelined. Matty Franks, a summer signing from Downham Town, has been troubled by an Achilles niggle but took a full part in Monday's boot camp session run by Mark Flowers of King's Lynn-based Motiv8 Exercise and Fitness, in conjunction with the Lynn and Wisbech branch of SOS Fitness. Anderson said: 'I have to thank Mark, who put on the session, because it was a very valuable experience for the boys.

'They worked very hard and it was a shock to the system for a few of them but nobody shied away and everyone put in a good night's work.

'Mark really put them through their paces.'

The Ghosts' new campaign continues on Wednesday night with an away match at new First Division outfit Dereham Town Reserves.