Crawley boss John Hollins says he is encouraged after five players turned up for pre-season training.

Club captain Danny Brown, Dave Woozley, Tony Scully, Chris Giles and goalkeeper Phil Smith reported back yesterday after the summer break.

Non-contracted player Sami El-Abd was also training along with 13 trailists.

Hollins did not know how many of last seasons squad would return following the Conference clubs move into administration. Every player is free to leave after having their contracts breached.

Hollins said: "It was encouraging that they turned up and wanted to train. All of them can walk out so we will have to see what happens but the good thing is that they are here and we have people to work with."

Hollins is trying to be optimistic about the new season after the fixtures were published.

Reds will face Rushden and Diamonds on the opening day with minus ten points after being punished for going into administration.

They travel to Woking three days later and go to Stevenage the following Saturday.

Crawley have four extra games to play after the Conference was expanded to 24 teams.

Hollins said: "The opener is a good one and there should be a big crowd. We want the points back as quickly as possible."

Eastbourne Borough boss Garry Wilson is looking forward to a flying start when the new Conference south season begins.

Borough open their campaign at home to Yeading and then face a trip to Thurrock two days later as they look to improve on their faltering early season form of the past two years. Wilson said: "We never seem to start well but hopefully this year we can put that right because it sets the tone for the season."