WHILE manager Dave Busst is sunning himself in Spain, the heat will be on Evesham United's players to get the new campaign off to a good start after last season's disappointment.

The Common Road chief started a long-standing holiday earlier this week but he will be in constant touch with his assistant Paul West ahead of tomorrow's Southern League Division One West opener against Rothwell Town.

"We've all been working hard to make sure that we are fit and we have looked fitter than the other sides in all our pre-season matches," a buoyant Busst reflected.

"I've been happy with the way things have been going and the players know that they will have to fight for their places. Numbers have been whittled down to 17 or 18 that's about right if you are going to have cover in all departments."

Steve Duncan, Anthony Watson, David Cairns, Leon Bake, Stuart Hamilton and Gavin O'Toole are all in line for a competitive bow this weekend but West has doubts about the fitness of both Andy Smith and Marc Burrow.

"They all came through the warm-up games without mishap then two of them pull up with calf strains during training last weekend," West lamented.

Two more faces from last season will be missing for the opener. Craig Pountney has returned to Studley for a loan spell, while another former Bees' man, Steven Hands, is on holiday.

Rothwell are one of 11 new teams in Evesham's new section following the summer reorganisation, so it's a case of going slightly into the unknown.

"It's certainly difficult to predict just who are going to the top sides but we are going to give it our best shot to make sure that we are up there challenging from the start," the manager declared.

Hot on the heels of tomorrow's starter is a trip to Swindon Supermarine on Tuesday night (7.45pm) followed by a first journey down the M40 on Saturday, August 21 when Burnham are the hosts.