LEIGH boss Mark Patterson could have six new faces in his starting line-up for the Nationwide Conference opener against Dagenham and Redbridge at Hilton Park on Saturday.

Former Oldham pair David McNiven and Paul Shepherd, signed from Conference rivals Northwich and Scarborough, are in line for debuts, as are Nicky Hill, Warren Peyton (both ex-Bury) and Neil Robinson, signed on a month's loan from Macclesfield.

With Patterson closing in on a midfielder, only Stuart Coburn, Martyn Lancaster, Neil Durkin, Andy Heald and skipper Gerry Harrison of last season's squad are certain to start.

Wayne Maden serves a one-match ban as Leigh, who avoided relegation by a whisker in May, prepare for a testing curtain-raiser.

Northwich's new chief Steve Davis has nine new names for opener at Forest Green. Among them are Kieran Charnock and Paul Santus, released by Wigan, whose one-time coach Brendan O'Connell has joined Vics as Davis's assistant.

Dean Butterworth's move from Chorley isn't due to be completed until next week. Tweet