CIRENCESTER Town FC are set to begin their series of pre-season friendlies this coming week with two prestigious home fixtures against two professional Football League outfits.

And for this Saturday's game, Brian Hughes and his Centurions team will need to be in top-top shape in having to face up to the might of the full-time players from the first team of Leyton Orient FC (3pm ko).

It's sure to be a tough ask for a Corinium Stadium team set for only its second term in Southern League Premier Division.

As well as the main body of players from last season, Hughes is also likely to give trials to a number of new faces.

Expected to be included in his line-up for Saturday are ex-Gloucester player Lee Smith, Steve Cowe, previously with Weston-Super-Mare, and former Cirencester man Barry Horgan who has been plying his trade with Chippenham Town.

And another cracking match is expected when Swindon Town are visitors to Cirencester Town for next Thursday evening's friendly (July 9, 7pm ko).

For this will be the first time that the local professionals will have despatched their first team to take on a Corinium Stadium side.