PRESTON Athletic manager Craig Nisbet is looking forward to the new season, but admits it will be a season of change at the Pennypit.

The former Edinburgh United Amateurs and Lothian Amateurs Select manager has been hard at work since the curtain fell on the Lowland League season.

He has taken on almost a complete overhaul of the squad, with only a handful remaining from last term.

Nisbet, though, told Courier Sport some of the new faces to his squad would be well known at the club.

He said: "We've taken on four guys from the successful under-20s team.

"They enjoyed a league-and-cup double last year, and one of them, Gavin Stevenson, scored 36 goals from right midfield.

"Some of them played for me at the end of last season – they are young, fit and keen to impress, so it'll be good to get them on board."

Nisbet, though, urged caution for the season ahead, and said "it is all about making improvements on last season."

The former Preston midfielder added: "I think it will take until this time next season before we have things exactly where we want them.

"This season has to be about making improvements on last season.

"The top half is my ambition, but that's not a target – I would be happy if we finished two or three places above where we were this year."

He admitted it is difficult to compete with other sides in the league.

"When you look at other clubs, they are bringing in guys who've got senior league experience.

"I mean, East Kilbride are trying to get Nacho Novo – there's no way we can compete with that.

I'm hoping we can spring a few surprises but I don't want to say too much on that just now."

Part of the rebuilding process, Nisbet said, was increasing the club's activity within the Prestonpans community.

He added: "It is all about getting more people through the doors.

"There's a lot of competition with the rugby club and the other football clubs in East Lothian, it's just about offering them something different.

"It must be difficult when what you are offering on the field is dross but hopefully we can change that – we're not going to just sit in this season."

Nisbet reiterated his hope for the Pennypit to become "a fortress", and said he was "greatly looking forward" to the season ahead.