By Alex Hoad

Maidstone boss Jay Saunders says his players aren’t starting the new season under pressure, despite tipping them to challenge for the title.

Stones begin life in Ryman League, Division 1 South with the visit of free-spending Whitehawk to Bourne Park on Saturday, with Saunders, pictured, tipping the two sides to be involved in the battle for honours.

He said: "I think there are six or seven teams who will be up there.

"Obviously you have Whitehawk and Bognor, I think Folkestone, Ramsgate, Hythe and Dulwich could be fighting up there and I expect us to be up there too.

"If we’re not up there and fighting, then there’s something seriously wrong because with the squad we have, we should compete comfortably in the division above.

"We have had a good pre-season and that might mean the expectation levels have risen but I don’t think the boys feel any pressure."

Danny Lye (hamstring) and Jimmy Humphris (foot) are doubtful while Alex Flisher (foot) and Saunders (calf) are hoping to recover in time to play.