Roofing suffered the woe of relegation last season after what turned out to be hugely disappointing season.

They travel to Guisborough tomorrow for the first game of the new campaign, but McLoughlin is likely to be without at least five of his senior players.

Paul Catto, Phil Graham, Paul Hodgson and Ryan Jenkins are all unavailable due to holidays, while striker Craig Tate is suspended.

McLoughlin has moved to boost his squad – which is likely to number just 14 this weekend – by signing former Roofing favourite Stuart Dixon, who has had spells at Sunderland Nissan and Northallerton.

And with summer additions like former Hartlepool United striker Eifion Williams and ex-Sunderland youngster Kevin Davison, McLoughlin is still happy with his squad going into the new season.

He said: "The squad looks good once we've got all the five missing players back in.

"We just need to get the first few games out of the way.

"But we have still got a good side out tomorrow, even with the five players out.

"It's going to be a hard game, but it doesn't bother me going there first up – you have to go there at some point during the season."

Pre-season has been a bit of a mixed bag for Roofing, with a series of friendly defeats and depleted line-ups.

But McLoughlin is unconcerned, saying: "Friendlies don't bother me – there's nothing at stake.

"We didn't have a goalkeeper for three of the games, but you try new players out and see what they're like.

"Young Andrew Hall, who can play on either wing, has started to come on, and once he gets a bit more confidence he'll be OK.

"Kevin Davison is looking good, and so is Eifion, though he hasn't scored yet."

* Roofing meet at 12.45pm tomorrow at the Shack.

*Don't miss Monday's Gazette for a full round-up of the weekend's non-league games.