Coach Stuart Neave says his squad is in transition as Inverleith open their campaign in Division One of Scotland’s indoor men’s hockey league on Saturday in Perth.
He will rely on a several under-23 players as a number of senior squad members from last season are on the sidelines.
Derek Salmond is not playing at present, Adam Mackenzie has a long-term injury, goalkeeper Allan Dick is living in London, Ally Blair has returned to Harris, Stephen Dick has a short-term injury and Fabian Wolski is back in Germany
However, Patrick Christie, Aedan McCrossan, Stuart Hatton, Sean Stewart and Kyle Taylor are all under-23 and played Euro club tournament last year.
They return to the fold along with 18-year-old Ewen Mackie and goalkeeper Greg McKenzie.
Neave said: “The indoor season will be a rebuilding year for us as several of our older players have stepped down from playing hockey at the top level.
“Having said that we still have some young and exciting players in our side and therefore expect to be competitive.”
Inverleith were runners-up last season to Grove Menzieshill and Neave’s men meet them in the final game of the opening day (push-off 17.30).
Neave added: “We have a challenging opening day playing Kelburne, Grange and Grove Menzieshill, however, the nature of the competition places a greater emphasis on the second of the season.”
Grange square-up to Grove in the opening game of the event at 9.15am and they also face Hillhead while Edinburgh University face Dundee Wanderers and Kelburne.
Fixtures: 09.15: Grange v Grove Menzieshill; 10.10: Kelburne v Inverleith; 11.05: Hillhead v Clydesdale; 12.00: Dundee Wanderers v Edinburgh University; 12.55: Kelburne v Grove Menzieshill; 13.50: Grange v Inverleith; 14.45: Clydesdale v Dundee Wanderers; 15.40: Edinburgh University v Kelburne; 16.35: Hillhead v Grange; 17.30: Inverleith v Grove Menzieshill (all at Bells Sports Centre, Perth).
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