FORMER Walsall junior Jason Wellings will make his debut for AFC Ludlow in this Saturday’s opening pre-season friendly at Churchstoke, kick-off 1.45pm.

Wellings, an attacking midfielder or striker who had seven years at the Bescot Stadium, without making a first-team appearance, has also played for Causeway United, Evesham United and Halesowen Town and last season turned out for both Black Country Rangers and Bewdley Town in the Premier Division of the West Midlands League.

Ludlow boss Dave Cooper said: “Jason will certainly play but our other newcomer Danny Crowther is on holiday and both Jamie Edwards and Jamie Hammonds are unavailable.”

Keanu Cooper and Jamie Smith are also likely to be missing with cricket commitments with Ludlow first XI but the AFC boss expects his son, if not Smith, to figure prominently in the rest of the pre-season games.

Ludlow host their first pre-season home friendly next Friday against Church Stretton in the final of the Ludlow Hospital Cup.

They have a total of eight pre-season matches in the build up to the new West Midlands (Regional) League Division One campaign, which kicks off on Saturday, August 8.

The WML have confirmed that new teams in Division One next season are Kington, FC?Stafford and Darlaston Town (promoted from Division Two) and Shifnal Town and Wednesfield (relegated from the Premier Division).