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County's big test

18/ 6/2008

COUNTY’S confidence-filled young team will relish the challenge of the opening week of their new 2008/09 season in League One.

That’s the verdict of Hatters assistant boss Peter Ward, who has spoken to the Express this week after the new campaign’s fixtures were released.

Fans will also be licking their lips at the thought of County’s start to the season - a trip to Huddersfield Town to open on August 9, a Carling Cup first round trip to Leicester City on August 12, then a home League One opener against Leicester on Saturday, August 16.

Ward said: "When I saw we’d got Huddersfield on the first day that was a great one for me as I used to play for the club.

"I made my League debut for Huddersfield and I spent three happy years there. I’ve got great affection for the place.

"Huddersfield is a great club, and what a great stage for our lads to get their new campaign under way.

"It would have been nice to have started with a home game of course, but the first game of the season is always special and the fans will enjoy a trip over there.

"There will be a big following cheering us on that day.

"It’s certainly going to be an interesting opening week for us, it’ll provide a big test.

"After the Huddersfield game we play Leicester twice, but with our lads, the bigger the stage, the better the team we play against, the better we perform.

"Everybody saw what happened at Wembley.

"It’ll be a great challenge for us, but one which myself and Jim are really looking forward to already."

Meanwhile, Jim Gannon and Ward are continuing to work hard on bringing new faces into Edgeley Park this week. Gannon is set to speak to a goalkeeper today [Wed], and the hope is that a deal could be finalised quickly.

A further two bids have been placed for two players, although one of those has been turned down.

"The type of players who can improve our squad will cost money this summer," added Ward.

"With the bid we’ve had turned down we will re-assess the situation later this week."

The potential re-signing of Chester City winger Kevin Ellison has still to be resolved, largely due to the fact that the ex-County wide-man is now on holiday.

Ellison returns tomorrow though, and Ward is hopeful that he and Gannon can then push ahead with trying to finalise a deal.

See this week's Express for County's full 2008/9 fixture list.