Our Under-21s play their first friendly of pre-season this evening as they make the short trip to take on local side Sholing.
The Development Squad has been back training since last Monday, and tonight's game sees them step up their preparations for the new Barclays U21 Premier League campaign.
Martin Hunter's men finished fourth in the Elite Group last season, narrowly missing out on a place in the Play-Offs.
They will hope to go a step better next time out, with the Development Squad having grown in numbers over the summer break.
Players such as Omar Rowe, Jordan Turnbull, Jake Sinclair, Harrison Reed and Dominic Gape all featured heavily for the Under-21s last season while in the second years of their Academy scholarships, and have now stepped up to the Development Squad on a full-time basis.
Also moving up are the likes of Will Britt and Omar Rowe, who recently signed professional contracts with the Club, plus Jamal Branker and Fraser Colmer, who have extended their scholarships for a further year.
American Cody Cropper is the only expected absentee for tonight's game. The goalkeeper has been given extra time off having played for his country at this summer's U20 World Cup in Turkey.
Hunter's side took on Sholing this time last year, winning 2-1 at the Silverlake Arena courtesy of a Sam McQueen double.
Tonight's game kicks off at 7.30pm. Admission is priced at £5 for adults, £4 for concessions, £3 for youngsters aged 12 to 16 and free for under-12s if accompanied by a paying adult.
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