LEEDS head coach David Hockaday says he cannot wait to begin his reign in tomorrow’s season-opener at Millwall.

Eyebrows were raised by the appointment of the former Forest Green boss during the summer but he is confident of rising to the challenge.

Hockaday could hand debuts to a number of new signings including Souleymane Doukara, Gaetano Berardi, Marco Silvestri, Tommaso Bianchi and Nicky Ajose.

Hockaday said: “I’m excited for the new season. “Our preparation has been good and we have got better and better every day.

“I’m delighted with the players. From day one up to now they are a different set of players.

“We look a team and we are working hard for each other. We look like we can keep the ball and we look dangerous so I’m really happy with the strides we have made.

“We have done a lot of work on and off the field and there is a lot more still to do.

“We’ll step over the line and we’ll perform on demand, there will be no excuses.”

Hockaday has to appoint a skipper but said: “I’ll name the captain to the team on Friday.

“I want eleven captains on the pitch and seven on the bench waiting to come on.

“It is as simple as that but I do appreciate that people want to know the captain.

“Whoever wears the armband will go up and toss the coin and will choose which way we kick but other than that I want eleven captains.”

Aidy White (ankle ligament damage) and Lewis Walters (knee) are sidelined and Noel Hunt (hamstring) could also miss out.