IAN Long is hoping that defender Luke Paskin will be fit in time for the start of the Midlands League Premier on August 8 after he picked up an ankle injury.

Paskin was one of the key men that new Alvechurch manager Long brought with him when he made the twitch from Tividale to Lye Meadow in May.

Otherwise, pre-season training is now well under way, with Alvechurch stepping up their preparations for the 2015-16 season with friendlies at Littleton (3pm ko) on Saturday and Cradley Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm ko).

Long said: "Luke's injured his ankle ligaments so he might not be back until the season starts.

"It's a setback because he was my player of the season last year but we are well-stocked in that department so we can cope.

"Missing pre-season can be very difficult but I know he'll looking himself and is a very fit lad.

"Training is going well, the lads are working, so otherwise it's all going well."

Long confirmed he still looking for a new striker to full the void left by Jordan Archer's decision to join Redditch United instead but is prepared to be patient.

Meanwhile, Church have been drawn at home to Heath Hayes in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, with the winners tackling either Brocton or Stourport.

In FA Vase, theyhave a repeat tie at home to Lichfield, with Lutterworth Athletic or Pilkington XXX away awaiting the winners in the next round.