Lowestoft Town boss Ady Gallagher admits he expects to see 'an edge' in his side's final pre-season friendly at home to King's Lynn Town this afternoon.

Gallagher insists there are places up for grabs ahead of the league opener at Leatherhead and wants to see his players stake a claim.

Throw in the fact the Blues will be coming up against former Trawlerboys Ryan Jarvis, Sam Gaughran and Frazer Blake-Tracy and there will certainly be a bit of spice to proceedings at The Amber Dew Events Stadium.

'It's the last pre-season friendly so, as such, you expect the intensity to increase,' said Gallagher, who will be leading the Blues into the campaign for the third season in sole charge.

'My players will be playing for a starting shirt against Leatherhead so there will be an edge, just as there will be given the former Lowestoft lads they've got in their team. But from a personal point of view it will be good to see lads like Ryan Jarvis, Sam Gaughran and Frazer Blake-Tracy. But they are not my players any more, and not my concern on Saturday. I'm more concerned about how my lads perform and to show me they're ready for the start of the season.'

Lowestoft have rung the changes this summer but Gallagher feels his side are in a strong position to improve on last season's 11th-placed finish. Gallagher admitted that he may even be tempted to enter the transfer market again before the start of the season. 'We've got a nice blend in the squad at the moment and I think the boys have got a really strong mentality,' he said. 'I really do feel that we are stronger as a group than last year.'

Big things are expected of new signing Dean Leacock, who signed a one-year deal with Lowestoft last month. Gallagher hopes the 33-year-old's experience of playing in the Premier League with Derby County during his career can help bring on his players. 'Dean plays in a position we were really looking to strengthen and I'm sure he is going to bring a lot of quality,' said Gallagher. 'We perhaps want to play in a slightly different way this season so having more personnel will help us.'