ELDER statesman Carl Pettefer reckons elevation to National South football can help Poole Town's younger players achieve their dreams of a professional career.

Midfielder Pettefer, who played 44 times as Dolphins secured the Southern League title last season, racked up more than 100 appearances in the Football League with Southend and Exeter.

And the 35-year-old, who kicks off his fourth season at Tatnam when Poole kick off life in non-league's second tier at big-spending Ebbsfleet tomorrow (3pm), believes the higher standard will suit up-and-coming talents such as striker Luke Roberts.

Pettefer told the Daily Echo: "The level has a higher profile so you see many more scouts at the games and the different, less frantic style of football gives players a better opportunity to play more.

"We have a few who could go higher. I have known Luke Roberts for a few years now having seen him emerge from the youth team at AFC Totton and I liked him back then.

"He is one but certainly not the only one and if we can perform well at this level, you never know who might be watching."

Such is Ebbsfleet's status as red-hot favourites for the title this season, punters are able to get longer odds on Poole winning at Stonebridge Road (5-1) than they can on their opponents lifting the crown (2-1).

But Pettefer wants to see his team-mates relish having a free hit.

"We are happy we know how we are going to play," he added. "We are the underdogs and there will be no pressure on us, we will just go there to enjoy it and try to perform well first and foremost.

"Playing there first might be an advantage. They might have had us watched in a league game had it been later in the season and the first game always tends to be a bit nervy, particularly for them being at home.

"There is a big expectation there so it should be a good time to play them."

Michael Walker is suspended for the trip to Kent, while Jamie Gleeson is a doubt with a minor calf strain.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Lindsay, Case, Whisken, Spetch, Pettefer, Burbidge, Devlin, Wort, Brooks, Baggie, Gillespie, Gleeson, Roberts, Davis, Rees.