Lowestoft Town's wealth of attacking talent has given first team coach Dan Gleeson plenty to ponder ahead of their National League North opener at home to AFC Telford United.

The acquisition of Ryan Jarvis over the summer strengthened an already impressive frontline consisting of Jake Reed, Danny Crow and Bradley Woods-Garness.

Gleeson admits it is almost impossible for the Blues to start with all four, giving the former Luton man a selection headache.

'The reality is that they can't all play,' said Gleeson, who joined the management team permanently this summer alongside Ady Gallagher following the retirement of Micky Chapman.

'But it's nice to have those options and it's a good headache to have. I know my team for Saturday and it's never nice to disappoint players but everyone is going to play their part for us this season.'

The abundance of options up front is not replicated in the back line as the Blues continue their search for another central defender in the wake of the departures of Sam Gaughran, Curtis Haynes-Brown and Omar Sowunmi this summer.

With Gleeson himself struggling for fitness and Rossi Jarvis suspended, only Scott Mitchell can be considered as a recognised centre half.

'Pre-season has been tough at times and, if we are honest, we aren't where we want to be in terms of our squad,' added the player-coach. 'It's no secret that we need another centre half, if not two. It's an area that we need to strengthen but we have got four or five players in mind.

'We would like to bring in one – Saturday will probably be too soon but we are very hopeful of having someone in place for next week.'

Shaun Bammant and Connor Deeks join Rossi Jarvis on the suspended list whilst Joe Marsden is ruled out with an ankle problem.

However, Gleeson believes Lowestoft have got enough in their armoury to make a good start against Telford.

'Teams are going to find it very difficult coming to Crown Meadow,' he said. 'They (Telford) have just got relegated and I believe they have had to make some big changes of their own. It takes time to get a team together.

'There aren't any easy games but if our players play to the level they can then we won't have any problems.'