ANDY Deacon (pictured) will try and banish all memories of last season's trip to Coventry from his mind when he takes his Cinderford squad back to the Midlands for their National League opener this Saturday.

Cinderford lost 55-5 in Coventry last term and Deacon reckons it was his club's worst performance of the season.

He said: "I'm happy with where we are right now.

"Coventry have made a lot of signings and I watched them in pre-season against Rotherham.

"I've got an idea what we'll be facing, but they probably know all about us too.

"They're physical, they'll have a big crowd behind them and they play on a big pitch.

"I think I already know the team I want to put out. It's time to get on with it and live with the pressure.

"The coaching staff and the players have been a credit to the club in the way they've conducted themselves in pre-season."

Luke Carter and Mark Rimmer are definitely out of the Coventry game but Deacon says there's more than enough depth to cover all injuries.

Cinderford have strengthened the second-row by bringing in Gloucester's Dave Markham on loan. Markham, 19, joined Gloucester from Leicester Tigers.

Back-to-back defeats in Wales might not have been the best preparation for the league season, but Deacon is not bothered by pre-season results.

He said: "Against Llandovery last week there was good and bad.

"I was pleased with the scrums and line-outs but there was an issue with the way we presented the ball at the breakdown.

"Llandovery were very physical at the breakdown but it does make a difference when you are being refereed by one man rather than a team of three.

"All I hope for this Saturday is that we relax, have confidence and make the right decisions when it counts."