CHORLEY have a wonderful opportunity to kick-start their promotion campaign by notching some valuable home points as they embark on their third season in the UniBond First Division.

Ken Wright's boys open the season with a match against North Ferriby United at Victory Park on Saturday.

With a new play-off system in operation this season Chorley will aiming for a top five place at least for a promotion chance.

Wright was pleased with the team's performances in the five pre-season friendlies, three of them against clubs from higher divisions.

He was also well satisfied with the new signings, including strikers Andy Mason (from Leigh RMI) and David Sutch, who was with Blackrod Town in the West Lancashire League last season.

Central defender Lee Molyneux, signed from Daisy Hill, and midfield men Scott Bradford (ex-Squires Gate) and Noel Corrigan, a former Bolton Wanderers junior, acquitted themselves well.

"We lost three forwards who would have been part of the squad for the new season when Matt Swailes signed for St Helens Town, Keith Evans joined Salford and Neil Matthews decided to retire because of persistent back trouble," said the Magpie boss. "On top of this we were hit by injuries during the pre-season run-in and it looked like we were carrying on from last season with players becoming unavailable.

"Damien Corcoran, a valuable player who can operate in central defence or midfield, has to have a cartilage operation and is likely to be out for four to six weeks. He had regained full fitness after being out for a large part of last season.

"Defender Simon Kay, who also missed much of last season because of a back injury, is undergoing surgery again, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will be able to return with no ill-effects.

"Defender Michael Wallace has had a recurrence of his sciatica problems, but hopes to be back in contention for the season's opening match.

"We had a scare when goalkeeper Simon Marsh turned an ankle in training and had to miss one of the games, but he recovered in time to play against Leigh RMI and we expect him to turn out against North Ferriby."

Manager Wright said he was looking to sign Gareth West, a former Burnley central defender who spent the last two seasons with Witton Albion. West would immediately be in the squad for Saturday's match.