CONCORD could have a new centre forward on show as they kick-off their pre-season games at home to a Stevenage Borough XI tonight.

Beachboys boss Danny Cowley is keen to add more firepower to his Conference South new-boys, and says he hopes he has found the right man for the job.

He said: “It’s not a done deal yet, but he fits in with how we play. I’m hoping he’ll play for us against Stevenage and we can sort out the deal.”

Cowley has put his squad through a punishing pre-season programme with six sessions of brutal training, including two double sessions.

He said: “They have worked hard and we have a good base level of fitness now.

“Now what we need is some game time and to get that match sharpness, and work on the shape of the team.

“People say these pre-season games are meaningless but you need to be competitive in them to get something from them.”

League One Stevenage are expected to bring a team made up of a mixture of first-teamers and youth players.

Cowley said: “Whenever you play a full-time side it is always a tough test and it is useful for us because we will be playing sides who are full-time this season.”

Concord midfielder Nicky Cowley is unavailable with a knee injury, and the game could come too soon for new signing Bradley Hamilton, who is still working his way back to full match fitness after breaking his foot towards the end of last season.

Concord were promoted via the Ryman Premier play-offs in May, and Cowley says the small Canvey Island-based club have already had an interesting welcome to the second-tier of non-league football.

“Apparently we are a guaranteed six points for some clubs,” he said.

“I read on Twitter the other day a Dorchester player saying ‘who are Concord Rangers?’ “But we don’t mind. We’re used to being underdogs and I’ve got a group of players here who will be determined to prove themselves again.”