SEDGLEY Tigers hope youthful enthusiasm can help them bounce straight back into National League One after last season’s relegation.

The Whitefield men kick off their first season back in National League Two North with a home game against Caldy on Saturday (2.30pm kick off).

While Tigers have lost the experienced quartet of Richard Oxley, Nick Flynn, Simon Parrott and Mike Dutton, they have recruited 10 players with an average age of around 20.

“There’s a definite more youthful look to the team now,” said team manager Geoff Roberts, whose side has impressed in a pre-season campaign that concluded on Saturday with a confidence-boosting 17-14 defeat at Fylde from the division above.

“And going off pre-season the new players look a decent group.

“You get enthusiasm with youth and you need enthusiasm and guys who want to do it.”

After injuries rocked his side all season last year, Roberts is guarded about the club’s expectations for the season.

But he believes they can challenge for promotion if they get avoid injuries.

“We would have finished mid-table if we hadn’t had horrendous injuries,” he said.

“If we can avoid a repeat of that we could have a pretty good chance of challenging for promotion.