CHIPPENHAM Town boss Adie Mings insists he doesn’t have any concerns over his defence ahead of the new season, despite his two recognised left-backs facing six-week lay-offs with knee injuries.

Greg Tindle went in for surgery on Monday while Shaun Lamb is due for an operation on August 9, with both players suffering from knee cartilage problems.

New signing Dan King and triallist Tom Welch, who regularly plays for Wessex League side Warminster Town, have both featured at left-back in pre-season but Mings is certain that his side will cope.

“We’ll get through it,” said the Bluebirds boss. “In terms of what we do, we’ve got options, so we’ll have to wait and see.

“We might have to change the shape and go to 3-5-2 but we’ll address that problem and there aren’t too many concerns at all.”

Midfielder Scott Lye is also struggling with a knee problem picked up over the summer, which he is hoping to have diagnosed this week.

On Tuesday the Bluebirds defeated local rivals Melksham Town 4-0 at the Conigre – their first win of the pre-season campaign.

Lewis Powell opened the scoring from the penalty spot before new boys Jack Pitcher and Ross Stearn got themselves on the scoresheet, with an own goal completing the tally.

Chippenham play Calne Town for the annual Fred Rutty Cup on Saturday.

Last weekend, Gloucester City’s Darren Edwards scored twice as the Conference North outfit claimed a 2-1 victory over the Bluebirds at Hardenhuish Park.

Powell’s second-half header pulled a goal back for the home side in a hard-fought encounter.

Mings added: “The fitness levels look good but now we’ve go to try and improve a few things over the next few games to get ourselves ready for August 13.”