DAVID Knight says he is not concerned at Canvey Island’s profligacy in front of goal ahead of the start of the new season.

The Gulls begin their Isthmian North campaign on Saturday, following their relegation from the Isthmian Premier League.

Danny Heale’s men are among the favourites for promotion this season, and have strengthened well this summer.

However, Canvey failed to score in five of their eight pre-season matches this season, leading to concerns at the strength of the frontline.

But Knight, 26, isn’t concerned.

“Danny [Heale] didn’t want an easy pre-season and we didn’t want to play teams lower down the pyramid as we wouldn’t have got a lot out of that,” said the striker, who scored 17 goals for Bowers & Pitsea last season.

“The results haven’t been that great (six defeats from eight matches) but if you ask any manager then it isn’t the results that are important.

“It is about match fitness and we have got that in this pre-season.

“In terms of the lack of goals, people can say what they want but it all starts on Saturday.

“People can judge us then. The season goes on for nine months and then we will see.

“We have been creating chances and there are good players here that can create for the strikers in the squad.

“I don’t think it is something we need to worry about.”

Knight will miss the first game of the season at AFC Sudbury on Saturday as he is at a wedding.

But the Gulls still have former National League South striker James Walker and George Sykes in their ranks.

And Knight has backed those that do feature to bring home the points.

“The first game I am away,” confirmed Knight. “But the boys that are picked to play will get the job done and I back them completely.

“We have some tricky games this month. Our second away game is at Cheshunt and they are always up there so it will be a good chance to see where we are at as a team.”

In a recent poll on the Isthmian League website, Canvey were voted by supporters as the most likely to win the division this year.

Under new league rules, two clubs will be automatically promoted, with another going up via the play-offs.

And Knight said he was pleased at the changes, dismissing any notion that Canvey will be under more pressure than others to win promotion.

“I don’t think the poll on the league website applies pressure,” he said. “It is slightly easier to win promotion this year so we will be going for that. We are feeling confident but we don’t apply pressure on ourselves.”