There have been several big changes in personnel since the Nailers last league fixture, not least the departure of Carney's managerial colleague Danny Hudson, whose position with the prison service means he can no longer commit to Belper.

The departure of key players Lee Stevenson and Ant Wilson was inevitable after a season of rumours that wouldn't go away. But the exit of most of the 2009-10 playing squad was perhaps a bit of a surprise.

Carney, though, couldn't be happier.

He said: "There has been a massive turnaround. "We have signed 11 new players this season and could still do with a couple more.

"The budget has been cut so we have had to look carefully at the players that we have brought in. "Those that have come to the club are real battlers who will give their all every game.

"I think we lost a bit of that last season and should have got rid of a few people earlier. The atmosphere at the club is much improved but we're by no means the finished article."

Experienced defender Mark Barnard has stepped up to player/assistant alongside Gary Middleton and Barnard's influence is obviously paying off, with the Nailers defence of Lee Thompson, Matt Plant, Richard Adams and Ryan Booker having performed consistently well during pre-season.

Carney's main problem tomorrow will be who to leave out, with the Nailers having won four of the eight pre-season games.

Sutton Coldfield, debutants in the newly-named Evo-Stik League after being transferred from the Zamaretto Division One Midlands, will provide a stern test for Belper.

They narrowly missed out on promotion last season and will high hopes of doing well in their new surroundings.

Carlton Town provide the first home opposition on Tuesday, a game that has added interest now that former Millers pair Ali Barcherini and Justin Jenkins are Belper players.