PHIL Mullen is expected to welcome back the majority of last season's players when Evesham United's training schedule gets under way on July 9.

It's a very important season for us," the Common Road chief admitted. "The lads who finished the season last year should all be back and I will be looking at several triallists during the friendly matches."

There should be at least one face recognisable to local followers in the shape of Littleton goalkeeper Adam Moss, who is expected to make the move out of the Midland Combination to the Dr Martens League.

"I'm hopeful that things will work out with Adam," Mullen declared. "We had our problems in goal last season but Darren Steadman is also signing so there won't be a problem there."

United's opening warm-up game is at home to Kidderminster Harriers on Monday, July 15 followed by further friendly action at home to Tamworth (July 25), Hinckley (August 3) and Hereford United (August 10).

Evesham's solitary away trip takes them to Willen-hall on Tuesday, July 23.

The new Western Divi-sion campaign starts on Saturday, August 17 with four new clubs appearing on the fixture list - two of them for the first time.

Merthyr Tydfil and Taunton Town are the two new grounds that United fans will be keen to visit, while a trip to Brom-sgrove's Victoria Ground should see a few familiar faces.

Rugby United, who have switched from the Eastern Division, make up the quartet who have replaced promoted Chippenham and Halesowen and money troubled pair Bilston and Bloxwich.

Mullen must go back and win at one of his former clubs on Tuesday, October 29 if Evesham are to reach the second round of the League Cup after being drawn away to Redditch United.