Histon

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Ian Bogie

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Gateshead v Histon

Gateshead will be looking to get their Blue Square Premier adventure off to the best possible start when they entertain Histon at the International Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Heed manager Ian Bogie has a strong squad from which to choose, with just two players ruled out of the fixture due to injury.

Steve Baptist and Neale McDermott will both sit out the opening fixture due to ankle problems and may need a considerable amount of time to recover from them.

Despite the duo being forced out of the game, Bogie still has a selection headache as he must choose just 16 of his 20 available players for matchday.

That means that four players are going to be left disappointed, but that is the state of the modern game and they will just have to step up their efforts in training if they wish to make future squads.

Bogie is excited about the challenges which lie ahead this season and can't wait to get started against the Stutes.

He told the club's official website: "Histon had a great season last time round though they've had to replace some key players who have left the club during the summer.

"They will be formidable opposition but we have home advantage and a good record at the International Stadium.

"I have also assembled a strong squad and while some players will be disappointed to be on the bench or left out altogether there is a long season ahead.

"There will be injuries and suspension which will create opportunities for players to come in and stake a claim for a place in the side - and they have to take that chance.

"There is tremendous competition for places and those in possession of the shirt have to perform as there are able replacements waiting in the wings."

Stutes manager Steve Fallon may hand new recruit Bradley Hudson-Odoi a starting berth after he completed his move on Friday.

The signing is seen as a major coup and Hudson-Odoi is expected to set the Blue Square Premier alight with his confidence in front of goal.

Michael Frew and Danny Wright are also expected to start after recovering from respective injury problems.

However, Craig Hammond and Lee Smith are both rated as doubts after picking up knocks during training this week.

Meanwhile, Stutes chairman Gareth Baldwin is in a confident mood ahead of the new campaign and believes the team spirit within the camp is going to help his side achieve things.

Baldwin told Cambridge News: "Being part-time and not spending as much time together as the full-time boys means people are always staggered that we have such a great team spirit.

"But, from what I see and the boys I deal with, Steve and John have done an absolutely fantastic job in making sure the boys we bring in have got a great attitude.

"When you only replace three or four a season, they can only be infected by the good that's in the dressing room and they soon pick up the vibes and understand the ethos of our club."