GREAT Wakering Rovers will take on Southend United in their usual pre-season friendly opener.

Rovers, who won promotion to the Ryman North Division last season, will welcome Phil Brown’s team to Burroughs Park on Saturday, July 12 with boss Dan Trenkel likely to give a number of trialists a run-out.

They will follow that up with away matches at Essex Senior League sides Bowers & Pitsea and Sawbridgeworth Town before welcoming League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge.

After that they will travel to fellow Ryman North side Heybridge Swifts before playing either Canvey Island or Concord Rangers in the Indee Rose Charity cup.

Games against Clacton and FC Romania will conclude the busy schedule.