by Alex Hoad

Folkestone manager Neil Cugley will reward a couple of unfamiliar faces with places in his squad for Invicta’s low-key pre-season programme.

Invicta begin their campaign at Kent League Premier Division side Deal Town on Saturday and after a quiet close season, Cugley is set to send out pretty much the same squad which finished fourth before exiting in the Ryman League Division 1 South play-off semi-finals last season.

Folkestone then host Canterbury City on Tuesday night with just four more games to follow the opening two.

Cugley (pictured) said: "I think the players prefer to get some more minutes under their belt like this than playing 45 minutes a game for 10 or 12 games.

"We’ll have the same 14 or 15 players for the pre-season games. It’s a small squad and we can’t pack it out with triallists and reserves, so this works best for us."

Damian Abel and Micheal Everitt have moved on to Whitstable but everyone else has stayed at the Buzzlines Stadium, though Roland Edge and Stuart King will miss the start of pre-season while Josh Vincent has picked up a groin injury and is yet to train this summer.

However Invicta fans will get a first glimpse at under-18 forward Ryan Philpott, with Cugley saying: "He’s done well and we’re going to have a look at him to see what he can do in a game. He can play upfront or in midfield and he’ll get a chance."

Joe Lester, another attacker, could also be included in the two squads. He played youth football at Invicta before spells at Faversham and Ramsgate.

Do you think Cugley's squad is strong enough for another promotion push? Have your say below.