Gary Liddle has admitted that excitement is starting to build in the Pools squad as they edge ever close to the big League One kick-off.

Pools open their campaign with a trip to newly-promoted Rochdale on Saturday and, while Liddle is ruled out through suspension, he is still looking forward to seeing the season get underway.

"It's an exciting time for all concerned ahead of the first game," he told us.

"I'm pleased we've got the pre season training out of the way because we've got through a lot of running on the track in the last month or so.

"Obviously I can't play this weekend because of the suspension but I know all the lads are looking forward to the game at Rochdale.

"Hopefully we can put in a strong performance and come home with a positive result to get the season off to a good start."

The defender is optimistic about Pools' chances of enjoying a successful season in League One but is realistic about the task ahead.

And after putting a testing pre season schedule behind them, he is confident that the team can deliver a competition campaign this time around.

"Pre season is all about fitness and we've definitely got that," he continued.

"Obviously it would have been all the better if we could have picked up some better results but it's about learning and from the first day of training we've been working hard.

"Mick Wadsworth has come in to the Club and we've been trying a new shape and I'm sure we will use that within the upcoming season.

"Hopefully then the hard work we've put in during training will come to fruition.

"We're not going to lie about things - this is going to be another tough season with the teams in our division but we know we can compete.

"We know there will be ups and downs during the course of the season but that's the same for every team - we just want to make sure we enjoy more up times and hopefully that will be the case this year."

Liddle has seen his defensive partner Sam Collins score in each of the last two pre season friendly outings against Whitley Bay and York City.

And he revealed that the players know that scoring goals from all over the pitch could be key to their chances in the forthcoming campaign.

"It's about time Sam started scoring some goals," he laughed.

"He's been trying to claim them as being part of the season's tally but I've had to bring him back down to earth by telling him that pre season games don't count!

"Obviously it's important that the defenders and midfielders can chip in with goals and I'm sure we'll all be trying to do that as much as we can."