WITTON Albion's manager Benny Phillips is looking onwards and upwards as the start of the new season approaches.

Phillips has signed new centre half Andy Thomas and hopes striker David Eaton will also join the squad by the end of the week, as he aims to put a troubled pre-season behind him and improve on last year's performance.

However, hopes of bringing John McCarthy to the team have been dashed, as he has signed with Hucknall Town and the loss of Colin Rose has also been a blow to Phillips' plans.

Meanwhile, Pritchard, Burton and Carrat are injury problems and Clegg is still under suspension.

But Phillips is hoping to bring some experience to a young squad by signing Eaton, who played for Macclesfield last season.

And he believes new signing Thomas will provide some organisation at the back.

Commenting on his newest squad member, Phillips said: "Thomas is a good organiser, a good talker at the back and he'll provide us with some organisation."

Phillips added: "We're looking for a spark up front. If Eaton's played in a higher division, then he'll bring some experience into the side - and he's still a young player too.

"We're always looking for experience. We're a young team but we're managing the situation and will keep on looking for new players."

Witton face a tough away fixture at Lincoln United on Saturday to kick off the 2003/2004 season and Phillips knows it is going to be a difficult game.

He said: "I know it's going to be like any other game - it's going to be difficult and it's away from home. We want to avoid a defeat.

"My aim this year is to improve on last season. Unfortunately the pre-season hasn't gone as well as it could have - we've had injuries and have not been able to bring in a lot of new players and the loss of Rose was a blow too - but it's onwards and upwards.

"We need the fans to give their support as well. If they can get behind the team, it can make all the difference."