SOUTHEND United striker Harry Cardwell is desperate to start the National League season strongly this weekend but will not be setting any long-term targets.

The Shrimpers host Oldham Athletic at Roots Hall in their opening encounter of the campaign on Saturday.

And Cardwell is keen to kick off in style.

"As a team we’re focusing on picking up as many points as we possibly can," said Cardwell.

"But we know with the uncertainty around the club at the minute it’s difficult to pinpoint where the club will be in weeks or months.

"It’s a difficult one but we’ll just focus on getting three points at the weekend and then getting this football club back where it belongs.”

Blues have endured a difficult pre-season with the players opting to stop training together for a week as they waited to get paid.

But Cardwell is still heading into the campaign in strong shape.

“I feel good,” said the striker.

“I missed the Bishop’s Stortford game with a slight hip flexor injury I suffered the day before but I’m in a good place compared to where I was this time last year.

“I feel confident in my body and my fitness levels are good.

“I’m feeling positive so I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Cardwell missed the whole of pre-season with an ankle injury which kept him sidelined until the start of November.

And the 26-year-old knows how important it is to prepare properly.

“Pre-season holds you steady throughout the season and I didn’t have that last year,” said Cardwell.

“It gives you a base of fitness to fall back on and I’ve got that this year which is good.

“But, after pre-season, the focus is now on getting the season underway.

“We’re focusing on games and getting points on board and it will be good to get back on the pitch at Roots Hall in front of the fans again.”

Cardwell bagged the winning goal in Blues’ last home outing as they fought back to beat Wealdstone on the final game of last season.

But the forward is expecting a stern test on Saturday against an Oldham side strongly tipped to push for promotion.

“We know they’re a decent outfit this year and with Hobbo (Shaun Hobson) going there we know some of the players they’ve got,” said Cardwell.

“We’ll have to come out strong but we showed last year in a tough period that we can do it.

“Hopefully that team spirit can pull us through again and we can start the season on a positive note.”

For that to happen, Cardwell will have to get the better of his former team-mate Hobson.

And the forward is looking forward to the contest.

“We used to do it every day in training so it won’t be that weird,” said Cardwell.

“It will be the first time in a competitive game but we know each other’s games so it will be a good game between us.

“Hopefully it’s us getting the points.”

And Cardwell will also be eager to get on the score-sheet as he strives to better the seven goals he netted last season.

“On a personal note, I want to improve on last year,” said Cardwell.

“Once I came back from injury last year I felt I played quite well and got a few goals.

“I want to kick on this year and improve the goal tally to help the team get up the table.