STEVE Butterworth is looking forward to going head-to-head with a good friend tonight.

Butterworth’s Great Wakering Rovers are set to make the trip to Essex Senior League side Stanway Rovers, who are bossed by former Chelsea midfielder Danny Slatter.

And Butterworth feels Stanway will present Wakering with a tough test as they look to boost their fitness levels ahead of the forthcoming Isthmian North campaign.

“I expect Stanway to be a decent side in the Essex Senior League this season, so it will be a good test for us,” said the Wakering chief.

“Stanway have been struggling for the last couple of years, but they have a new manager now.

“I’m good friends with Danny Slatter, who has taken over there, and I have played with him before.

“He didn’t take over long ago but I expect them to be better than they have been in the last few seasons.

“Danny has played at the highest level for Chelsea, so he knows what he is doing.”

Stanway finished last term 15th in the Essex Senior League standings.

And Butterworth hopes his players will be able to play to their full potential on the pristine Hawthorns pitch.

“Their pitch is unbelievable,” added Butterworth.

“It’s not ideal for us to be travelling up towards Colchester, but we have arranged this fixture simply because their pitch is fantastic and it will allow us to play the way we like to play.

“The facilities are really good there and the surface will suit us.

“It will be a tough game, but we go there having won all four of our friendlies so far.

“I know the results don’t necessarily matter in pre-season, but wins breed confidence and we want to go into the new season in good shape.”

Wakering head into their latest friendly having recorded a 5-3 win over White Ensign last time out.

Jack Stevenson scored a second half hat-trick and Butterworth hopes he will prove to be a valuable addition to the squad.

Butterworth admitted: “Jack is one of those players who is technically the best player on the pitch. On the ball, there is no-one better.

“He could get in anyone’s team in this league but he has not made the move to any other club because his attitude is not the best at times.

“Jack is a bit laidback and has been hard to manage at other clubs, but it is up to me to keep him happy and play him in the right areas.

“He doesn’t do a lot of work off the ball but, if he does what he did against White Ensign on Saturday, I don’t care.

“However, he knows that he is no good to me if he is not on his game.”