NEW signing Dino Maamria and old hand Tony Black are likely to get first chance to shoot Leigh RMI to an opening day Nationwide Conference win.

The 27-year-old former Tunisia Under 21 international has joined on a two-year contract from Southport after impressing in pre-season trial games and will partner Black tomorrow when RMI start their Conference campaign against Hayes.

But the rest of Leigh's line-up remains uncertain as manager Steve Waywell weighs up his options after being hit by a number of injuries and suspensions.

Ex-Wanderer Steve Thompson could miss the first six weeks of the season after suffering cartilage damage, midfielder Ged Kielty broke his wrist against Wigan two weeks ago and is out for a month and Dave Ridings is struggling with a hamstring strain. In addition, Ricky Harris continues a three-match suspension carried over from last season.

But likely to step in for his debut is defender Chris Scott who has joined RMI for a second time. Scott had a spell at Hilton Park on loan from Burnley last season but his since been released from Turf Moor and has returned to Leigh, initially on a two-month contract.

Other new signings likely to figure in the squad are winger Michael Reynolds who has been signed from Ayr United and Andy Heald from Morecambe.

Ex-Wycombe Wanderers keeper Mark Westhead has also moved to RMI but Waywell is likely to start the season with veteran Dave Felgate.

Hayes manager Terry Brown upped the tempo ahead of tomorrow's clash, claiming that the pressure is all on Steve Waywell's men.

The Middlesex club are the punters' annual tip for relegation from the Nationwide Conference, but made the cut with a 3-0 victory at relegated Hednesford on the final day of last season.

Once again, Brown's side start as underdogs and that couldn't please the visitors more. "We are not expected to win at Leigh and that relaxes the pressure on our lads", Brown claims. "People do credit the first game with too much importance and it naturally becomes a very nervous affair. They say that if you lose on day one, you'll be relegated and if you win you will have a great year but it's a sprint and not a marathon, and I'll simply be looking for a solid performance from my lads."

Hayes have been forced to rebuild after a frantic pre-season has seen them lose eight first team players, including highly-rated goalkeeper Paul Gothard to Dagenham and Redbridge. They have been replaced with a crop of young, local talent with the exception of Bertrand Bossu, a commanding goalkeeper of 6 foot 5 inches who has spent time with French side Lens and more recently, Barnet.

Leigh completed a double over the Church Road outfit last season, with Tony Black's astounding solo strike settling matters in the capital and a super performance from Ian Monk at Hilton Park helping RMI record a 4-0 victory on their way to fifth.

Brown knows that Leigh could be a different side without the influential winger Steve Jones but still admires their quality.

"Black is a fantastic player and we will need to be on our guard to stop him come matchday. He scored an amazing goal against us last year and Monk ripped us to shreds at Hilton Park, so we know what we are up against. We are under no illusions about the game but Leigh will feel all the pressure after finishing in the top five last season and we are happy for it to stay that way."

The game kicks-off at 3pm, with the Railwaymen travelling to Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night (kick-off 7:45pm).