Paul Chambers says Ashford United are in good shape heading into the new Southern Counties East League season.

However, the Homelands boss refuses to speculate on whether they can match or better the achievement of finishing runners-up in their first season back at this level.

He said: “We won’t be in the top two or three favourites to win the league, like Greenwich Borough or Tunbridge Wells and at least five or six clubs have bigger budgets than ours.

“We are happy to sit here, take one game at a time and see where it takes us.”

Chambers will include several new faces for the opening home game against Fisher on Saturday (3pm).

Experienced midfielders James Everitt, signed on dual registration from Folkestone Invicta, and Lee Winfield, who made more than 300 appearances for Hythe.

Much is expected from ex-Wells strikers Andy Irvine and Keelan Mooney, while defender Phil Leonard has joined the club after playing for German club VFL Wolbeck last season, while serving in the Army.

Chambers said: “We are shaping up well. Our preparation has been good and we have held our own against three Ryman League, Division 1 South opponents. The only team who smashed us were Folkestone."

Former Herne Bay and Lordswood manager Simon Halsey moved to Fisher as joint-boss in the summer. United won 4-1 when the two clubs met at Homelands a year ago.

United travel to Lordswood on Tuesday (7.45pm).