Cove Rangers were deposed as Highland League champions and they launch their bid to regain the crown away at Nairn County on the opening day of the 2010/11 against a home side who already have 90 minutes of competitive action under their belts.

County ran out 4-0 winners away at Strathspey Thistle in the HITS North of Scotland Cup on Tuesday evening but know the challenge they face in this match will be somewhat more difficult than their comfortable win at Seafield Park. Manager Les Fridge said:

"It is going to be a very hard game and we know that. Cove are tipped to be one of the contenders for the league championship this year and I would imagine that to be very true. We are going to try to take a bit of confidence out of midweek where we scored four goals and created a lot of chances and take that into this game.

"It was good to get a competitive run out before the start of the league season and I know it is early days yet but I am singing from the same hymn sheet as last year by saying we are creating chances and need to start taking them to make life a bit easier for ourselves."

Both Tony Low and Brian Macleod missed the midweek win but are both set to come back into contention. However, Marc MacDonald is away this weekend and Euan Donaldson has been away on a works-related course and may miss out. Definitely unavailable are David Hind and Dale Gillespie as they are both suspended.

Cove gained a significant signing coup last weekend as they completed the capture of former Aberdeen midfielder Stevie Tosh. He joined Stephen Jaffrey, Daniel Park, Alan Redford and Kevin Stewart as the new additions to their squad. Co-manager Jerry O'Driscoll feels the club's pre-season preparations have gone to plan as he said:

"The guys have worked hard for the last six weeks. Credit to them - their fitness was good when they came back and the quality on the ball in training has improved every session over the last few weeks. From seeing them this week in training, they are 100% raring to go. They are chomping at the bit to be honest and I think they are ready to start the season in excellent shape.

"It will be a tough opener for us up at Nairn but the opener is always tough as everyone goes into the season with fresh vigour and expecting a successful season. Nairn still have a lot of quality in their squad but so do we. It should be a cracker."

Full backs Jaffrey and Richie Livingstone are both fit having shrugged off knocks and the likes of Jamie Buchan, Danny Milne, Kevin Webster and Dean Lawrie are all back from holidays. Jordan Heads is also available again having missed last Saturday's friendly to attend a wedding but new signing Redford is away for the weekend.

Referee: Bryan Braidwood