CANVEY Island boss Brad Wellmen is targeting a push for the Isthmian Premier League play-offs this season.

The Gulls - who finished 14th in the table last season - host Southend United in a pre-season clash on Tuesday night.

And Wellmen wants the clash to be the start of a memorable campaign for Canvey.

“We always want to go and get promoted and get in the play-offs,” said Wellmen.

“That has to be our ambition.

“Realistically as a club we need to try and sustain ourselves at this level but we were successful in the first year getting in the play-offs.

“Last year was tougher and this league is even tougher this year too with the likes of Dover and Dartford coming into it but we’ve got our own internal goals of where we want to be.

“We will re-evaluate come Christmas but ultimately we want to try and get in the play-offs.”

But it is a new look squad which will be aiming for a top five finish this season.

“We’ve had a few go,” confirmed Wellmen.

“We’ve lost Bradley Sach, Evans Kouassi and Rob Girdlestone so we’ve had a few depart.

“They’re difficult players to replace and we’ve been a victim of our own success really with Sachy going to Chatham.

“It’s been difficult but it’s silly season at the moment.

“Everyone wants silly money but we’ve brought in Fin Dorrell from Romford who has started really well, Kane Gilbert from Halstead and one or two are over the line we can’t just announce yet.

“We’re happy with where recruitment is but know we have to add one or two more.

“Over the next couple of weeks we think more will become available as it becomes more of a manager’s market rather than a players one.”

But Wellmen is excited to selecting the players he already has available to face the Shrimpers in a match which will see Blues’ first team coach Mark Bentley head back to the club he used to manage.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” said Wellmen.

“We spent three or four good years with Benno and it will be good to have him back.

“The relationship between the two clubs has grown since Benno has gone in there.

“ It’s created an opportunity to maybe make this a regular fixture in pre-season which is great and it’s always good to catch up with him, Kev (Maher) and Darren (Currie).”

Tonight’s match kicks off at 7.30pm and can be followed live via the Echo website.

Ticket prices have been set at £10 adults and £3 for under 16s.