By Peter McKinney

MANAGER Rod Brown believes his new look Bromsgrove Rovers FC side is in great shape to launch an assault on the Southern League Division One Midlands.

The team face a tough start to the season when they take on Sutton Coldfield Town away at the Central Ground this Saturday, a side that Rovers have drawn the last four games against.

Rovers then entertain Rushall Olympic at the Victoria Ground on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick off).

However, with a 22 man squad looking in good shape after ending their pre-season programme with a 2-0 win over Waltham Abbey on Saturday, Brown is up beat about the side's fortunes.

He said: "I think we'll be a side that won't concede a lot of goals this season so we need to concentrate on making chances and scoring them.

"We have a system we have stuck to throughout the summer and have looked very effective and I think it'll stand us in good stead for the season.

"It's important we don't concede any goals and that the fans get behind us. We need to make the Victoria Ground a fortress."

The only injury worries for the Rovers boss is defender Chris McHale, who limped off against Waltham Abbey with a slight knock, and midfielder Mark Benbow, who has tendonitis.

Defender Paul Lloyd is the only other absence after picking up a suspension.

While McHale is expected to be available for selection Brown admits that his most difficult task is to pick the team against Sutton. After a busy summer of signing new players Brown has a big squad to choose from and has been impressed by all of his players.

He said: "I'm going to have to make some hard decisions about the team.

"We've got a lot of good players who want to play but there will be some who don't make it onto the substitute's bench against Sutton.

"They're a very tough team to start the season. They have a good record against us and I don't think they've lost to us for the last few seasons. We then have Rushall, which will also be very tough."

"But you don't win the league by winning the first game of the season and it's very important that we be consistent throughout the season."

l Defender Paul Carty has ignored overtures from previous club Worcester City to sign for Rovers last night (Tuesday). Carty had joined from City in the summer but the Conference North side were eager to have him back.