DUDLEY Kingswinford Director of Rugby Neil Shillingford believes his side will be in much better shape this season as they prepare to launch their assault on Midlands One West.

Shillingford said: "We've already been back in pre-season training for the past couple of weeks and the players have come back in much better shape than we expected.

"I would say we're already two weeks ahead of where we wanted to be."

Shillingford has been boosted further with several familiar faces returning to the club.

Versatile Liam Marshall who can operate either on the wing or at centre has come back to the club following a spell at local rivals Bromsgrove.

Pack players Keiron Williams and Dan Marsh are also back on board after completing their university studies.

Front row player Williams has spent the past three years in Cardiff, while second row Marsh has been studying in Plymouth, where he turned out for Plymouth Albion.

DK's have also recruited winger Dave Pitt from Walsall while several players have arrived from Wednesbury who Shillingford is currently running the rule over.

He added: "We've managed to retain everyone from last season but we'll still try to recruit one or two more if we can."

The DK's have lined up practise matches against Bromsgrove on Friday August 12 and Old Silhillians on Friday, August 19.

They complete their preparations on Saturday August 27 with a tough trip to last season's Midland West One champions Bridgnorth who will be competing in Midlands One this term.

Shillingford is under no illusions of the task ahead, he said: "I think Midlands One West will be even more competitive than last season especially when you consider that clubs like Sutton Coldfield and Newport, Shropshire have come down, while Wolverhampton and powerful Moseley Oak have been promoted."