Boss Paul Doswell is preparing to coil up his Sutton United men for a sudden strike at the Vanarama Conference South title.

Paramount to his hopes is a good start, beginning with this weekend’s curtain-raiser at Maidenhead United, followed by the visit of Havant & Waterlooville to Gander Green Lane on Tuesday night.

However, it could be a tall order as Callum Hart, Dale Binns, Luke Riddick, Alan Julian and Will Spetch will all miss at least the first three weeks of the season, with Spetch expected to be out until September.

Doswell said: “I don’t know why we tend to start slowly, but it leaves us playing catch up come Christmas, and while we get back in the mix, we’re never truly in a position to strike for the top.

“We’ve spoken about it as a team and how important a good start is.

“I want us to be up there all season and be in a position to suddenly strike for the top when may be other teams are falling away and not expecting it.”

He added: “It is going to be tough because of the injury situation, but the rest of the squad is looking sharp and ready for it.”

There have been a plethora of new faces playing at the Lane over the summer, with Jernade Meade and Jordan Hibbert among those who will not be around come the weekend.

However, of the new names who will start in the United squad, there is, according to Doswell, some room for improvement, as well as real talent.

“Jessy Reindorf will excite the fans, he’s raw but very talented, and Claudiu Hoban is another one who will excite, although he needs to improve his game play,” he said.

“But the stand-out of the new signings has to be Ricky Wellard.

“He is a really good player with a lovely left foot, a great passer of the ball who can control the midfield and make runs beyond the front men, which is what we want.”