ADAM Lockwood is hoping that his new-look squad will force him to make tough selection calls.

As his side complete their preparations for Saturday’s National League opener against Ebbsfleet at Nethermoor, the manager knows that the challenges will come thick and fast over the next nine months.

Lockwood said:”There’s always things to work on whether you win lose or draw, but ultimately it comes down to standards.

“We have to look to maintain performance and personal standards.

“That is something we will look at throughout the season. If we drop below them we will have to do things about it.”

Looking at his new squad he appears to have injected, pace, strength and achieved a nice blend of youth and experience.

“We’ve got a great group and a great attitude,” he said.

“We have tried to create competition and if somebody drops below the standards we want, hopefully somebody will come in and raise that standard.”

Lockwood is expecting newly-promoted Ebbsfleet to provide his men with a stern test.

Manager Daryl McMahon has assembled a good squad which includes two forwards with wide Football League experience.

He will be hoping that former Bradford City striker Aaron Mclean is fit after the knee problems that limited his appearances last season, while former Gillingham forward Danny Kedwell will need close watching and has been a consistent goal scorer throughout his career.