Neil Cugley expects Bostik Premier to be more competitive this season but believes his Folkestone side can challenge for promotion again.

Invicta were the surprise package of 2017-18, finishing fourth before losing to Hendon in the play-offs.

There is no clear favourite for the title this time so how does Cugley see the league shaping up?

"It's difficult to say," he said. "People keep saying it won't be as strong because Billericay and Dulwich have gone up but the word is that Kingstonian and Dorking are really going for it.

"Margate will obviously be there and Enfield will be one of the strongest so I think it'll be a more competitive league.

"It's up to my players to go and do it again. Show you can do this standard again because that's what will make them good players.

"Ade Yussuf and Kieron McCann were excellent last year but these sort of people have got to do it again.

"You've done it for one season but the secret is doing it again and again. Hopefully they will and I think they will."

Johan ter Horst, Sam Hasler and Ronnie Dolan are carrying injuries but all three featured in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to Dartford.

Free agent Harry Ottaway also played for Folkestone but no deal has yet been done to bring the striker to Cheriton Road.

Left-back Nat Blanks, who started against the Darts, has injured his toe but should be fit in time for the season-opener at home to Enfield on August 11.

Cugley said: "We've been lucky with injuries considering the opposition we've had. Hopefully we get the three lads carrying injuries back fit and then it's quite a good squad.

"Because it was such a jump from being near the bottom (in 2016-17) to get to near the top, it was all credit to the players and we've backed them again.

"Financially and because of where we're located, we're lucky to keep some of these players - so let's go again.

"We're looking forward to it. It won't be a massive squad, 16 or 17 players of the same sort of ability.

"If you're not looking forward to the first game, you shouldn't be doing the job.

"The progression of the club both on and off the pitch has been remarkable so let's keep it going."

Folkestone, who beat Herne Bay 5-1 on Tuesday night, travel to Ashford United for their final pre-season friendly on Saturday.