FOREST Green midfielder Lloyd James says the players are confident and ready ahead of the new season.

The 30-year-old, who joined Rovers from Exeter City this summer, is looking forward to the big kick off against Grimsby Town on Saturday.

James is in confident mood about Forest Green's prospects for the new campaign after a positive pre-season.

"I think the boys have worked hard throughout pre-season," he said. "It's been a learning curve because there's been a lot of new faces, including myself but I'm really looking forward to it and we're ready.

"We've had some positive results in pre-season but we all know it's about getting fitness but I feel like we've got a very good squad. We want to go a step better than last year and hopefully we can build on what Forest Green achieved last year in staying in the league which was a fantastic achievement as it was their first season but we're quietly confident of what we can achieve.

"Everyone's fighting for their position so it's good."

James reflected positively on the pre-season campaign which saw Mark Cooper's side beat League One Bristol Rovers and has settled in well with his new team mates.

"It's brilliant, we've had a good pre-season and have a good group and we get on really well and we're all looking forward to the real thing Saturday.

"To win any football match is always good. So we take a lot of confidence but not too much."

The midfielder is looking forward to the challenge of Grimsby and is keen to gain some early season momentum.

"It's going to be a tough game, I've played there a few times. It's a long journey but one that we're looking forward to."

"It's difficult because they've not played any games this season, it's all been friendlies so it's tough but we're just looking forward to it and if we can go about our work ourselves, I'm sure we'll come out with a positive result."

"It's always nice for the confidence to get off to a winning start but it's a long old season, you talk about momentum and it would be good start with a win but it is a long and tough season."

The game at Blundell Park kicks off on Saturday at 3pm.