STANWAY ROVERS are set to pit themselves against future professionals in today's eye-catching pre-season friendly against Norwich City’s Academy.

Rovers have had an encouraging summer so far, beating Maldon & Tiptree and then holding a Braintree Town XI.

However, joint-assistant boss Al Drennan knows they face a tough and different test against the young Canaries.

“Norwich will be strong and because they’re a young side, they’ll be fit, mobile and full of enthusiasm,” he said, looking ahead to the match at The Hawthorns.

“They’ll have top coaches and facilities and train every day.

“It’s good to play sides with different styles and we wanted a range of games.

“Braintree were very well-drilled and organised. They played with a high tempo, energy and intensity.

“Norwich will be a different test for our boys but I know it’s one they’re looking forward to.”

Drennan says his side want to pose more attacking threat next season.

They have been working hard to improve their game in the final third and will be looking for more goals against Norwich.

“It’s something we spoke about, because we scored goals against the weaker sides last season but let ourselves down against the better ones,” said Drennan.

“Now we’ve got more options.

“Jamie Shaw and Sam Cripps have been a breath of fresh air, Terry Rymer and Ben Newson give us more competition and then we’ve also got Jordan Palmer and Jake Clowsley.

“Everything is very positive and it’s also a fitter squad than we had this time last year. I wondered if Braintree’s fitness might shine through in the last 20 minutes.

“However, there wasn’t much of a gap between the sides and that’s testament to how hard our players have worked in training and also how they’ve looked after themselves since the end of last season.

“It should stand us in good stead for next season.”

BRAINTREE TOWN are set to take on Lowestoft Town today.

Elsewhere, HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS are hosting a Dagenham & Redbridge XI, BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT travel to Whitton United and WITHAM TOWN go to Brentwood Town.

FC CLACTON have a match at Coggeshall Town, while BRANTHAM ATHLETIC entertain Needham Market and HALSTEAD TOWN welcome Felixstowe & Walton to Rosemary Lane.