Dinnington Town boss Steve Toyne says that preparations for the 2006-2007 season are going well - despite him being laid up at home after an operation.

The Town manager has had an operation on the cartilage in his knee, which has put the kibosh on him driving.

So Town's next pre-season fixture at Dunkirk may be a difficult proposition - but Toyne is confident that somebody can step in.

He said: "I'm sure it'll be fine. It's a nightmare for me at the moment, not being able to drive, but it'll be sorted out in time for the game."

Their NCEL debut comes in a fortnight's time, and Toyne is up for the challenge.

"All of the squad are looking forward to it. I'm really looking forward to it."

"If we finish higher than the bottom two, the season will have gone well for us. I know it is going to be a tough task, but I'm confident that we can do it."

"I've heard this league is a long-ball division, so the likes of John Saville and Matt Wilson, who are both at 6'4", will come in very handy."

One problem for Toyne at present is in the position of goalkeeper, following the departure of former regular Andy Bird.

Bird was coaching in America over the summer and the decision has been taken for his contract to be extended - leaving Toyne to find a goalkeeper before the season's curtain raiser against Tadcaster Albion on Saturday 12th August.

But, the return of Phil Rhodes last season and the bonus of Toyne being able to call on son Mark, who made a handful of appearances between the sticks last term, will stand Town in good stead.

That said, Toyne has been looking at Worksop under 19 goalkeeper Ben Brunt.

And Toyne is also running the rule over new players as he looks to bolster the midfield ranks.