HEREFORD United chairman David Keyte is maintaining an ‘optimistic but realistic’ stance ahead of the new League 2 season which gets underway with a trip to Southend on Saturday.

“With a season’s experience behind us, we feel that Jamie Pitman has improved the squad and that we have a stronger squad of players than last year – a smaller squad but a better squad,” said Keyte.

“But we all need to be aware that through financial constraints, every manager is having to work with smaller squads.

“Every club needs a bit of luck with injuries and, in our case, I am conscious that injury or suspension to two or three key players would be very difficult to cover.

Keyte also acknowledged that the reduction in salary cap would have an impact.

“Because our turnover is flat, the reduction in the salary cap from 60% to 55% will mean about £80,000 difference to us, or about two players at League 2 wages. So that puts the management team under pressure.”

The projections under which the salary cap is based had to be submitted by July 15.

“After an uplift of 30% in the average gate last season, we have assumed, with ongoing progress, that there will be an increase again to 2,700 in the average this time,” said Keyte. “But any donations to the club can go straight into the player budget.

“I am optimistic but realistic and within these constraints, a midtable finish would be a success as we build for the future.”

Boss Jamie Pitman already has to contend with the loss of two key players for the first couple of games.

Centre-back Michael Townsend is suspended for the League 2 opener at Southend and for next Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie when League 1 Brentford will be the visitors to Edgar Street.

And midfielder Nicky Featherstone, who has yet to kick a ball in anger this season, is undergoing treatment for tendinitis.

With this pair absent, Pitman is likely to start with Ryan Green partnering skipper Stefan Stam in the heart of the defence with the versatile Rob Purdie named at right-back.

Kenny Lunt will operate in a deep-lying midfield role with Harry Pell and James McQuilkin in front of him.

Joe Colbeck and Stuart Fleetwood will push forward from the flanks to support new signing Delroy Facey in attack.

Frenchman Yoann Arquin will probably have to be content with a place on the substitutes’ bench.

“The league is a tough league this season and it is another transition year for us and we have a lot of hard work ahead,” said Pitman.

“It will be tough this year and I hope that people will be patient with us.

“ We are trying to do things right and, first and foremost, we will work very hard - that is the only thing that I can ask my boys to do.”