The new season kicks off tomorrow when Third Division Montrose visit Balmoor in the first round of the Alba League Challenge Cup.

Steven Tweed brings his side north looking to improve on the last campaign, which saw the Gable Endies finish at the foot of the pile, some ten points adrift of Elgin City.

Included in the travelling party are the familiar faces of right-back Steven McNally and utility man Chris Hegarty, the pair having had spells of varying success at Balmoor earlier in their careers.

The Blue Toon are hopeful of bolstering their squad ahead of the match, and while a number of players, including Bobby Mann and summer signings Dennis Wyness and Daniel Moore, limped out of last week's friendly defeat to Aberdeen, most should be available to kick off the new campaign.

The main concern lies around striker Davie Ross, whose knee injury continues to cause problems.

One man who is more eager than most for the action to kick off is club captain Callum Macdonald, who spent much of last season watching from the sidelines through injury. He said "I'm really looking forward to it. It's good to get the pre-season games out the way and play for something serious. You do look forward to time off in the summer but as soon as pre-season starts you look forward to the first important game".

Boss Neale Cooper had come out asking for more from his captain during the pre-season, but the affable Perth-born defender was unfazed by the criticism, adding "If Neale feels I'm not doing as well as I should he'll tell me, and I know myself if I've not played well. I had good spells and bad spells in the pre-season games but it was just getting back into it after being injured so I think I've got that out the way".