UP to 14 teams will fancy their chances of promotion from the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

That is the view of Warrington Town boss Paul Carden ahead of the opening day this weekend.

Yellows welcome FC United of Manchester – another side strongly tipped to contest the higher positions – to Cantilever Park on Saturday.

South Shields, who have now adopted a full-time training model, are the strong favourites to win the title with the likes of Buxton and Basford United also highly fancied.

While Carden believes it would be unwise to look beyond the Mariners, he says more than half of the division will be plotting a promotion push.

"I think Matlock will be strong, Nantwich too," he said.

"The usual suspects will be up there but nobody would have put Mickleover among them.

"They were top of the league when last season finished and they look like they’re having a go again. They’ve signed some good players and have had the new pitch put in.

"Stalybridge are throwing a bit about as well – there’s a few clubs seemingly fancying it.

"It’s not just six or seven clubs – it’s more like a dozen to 14 clubs who will feel like they fancy it.

"Then the rest will be thinking they can be up there if they put a run together because that’s the nature of the division.

"With South Shields going full-time, you would be a fool to look beyond them. They are really going for it but anything can happen."

After two Covid-hit campaigns, the main hope is for a season to be played to its completion first and foremost.

With legal restrictions on social contact now lifted, things are as close to normal as they have been for a while and for clubs such as Yellows, that is a welcome boost.

Saturday's visitors are arguably the best-supported team in the league and as such, a large travelling following is expected at Cantilever Park.

With that in mind, Carden is hoping for a strong local contingent to boost Town both on and off the field.

"We’ve always tended to have good games against FC United. We know what they’re about, we know how they play and we have to be at our best.

"They’ve got a big fan base as we know and with it being local and the first game of the season, we know they’re going to travel well.

"When we’ve got our fans shouting us on, it always helps and makes it a better atmosphere.

"It would be good for the club for all reasons – hopefully it will be the start of life going back to normal again.

"With the strain its put on every club not just our own, getting the coffers going again will be a big boost.

"We want to start on the front foot and hopefully get a good win."

Carden has boosted his Warrington Town squad for the start of the season.

Winger Jack Mackreth has returned to the club, while Mo Ali and Matthew Grivosti have been signed following successful pre-seasons.

With the Northern Premier League season curtailed by Covid-19, Mackreth, 29, left earlier this year to take up a deal with Bala Town but his return has now been negotiated.

Midfielder Grivosti has impressed during pre-season having come to the club via the Fowler Education Football Academy (FEFA).

Centre-back Ali, 27, who has eight international caps for Somalia, started the pre-season games against Chorley and Southport, where he spent last season.

Born in the Netherlands, he moved to Manchester in 2013 and since played for Northwich Victoria, Glossop North End, Mossley, Droylsden and Curzon Ashton.