Last season's Player of the Year will be part of the amber and blacks squad which kicks off against Ossett Town at York Street on Wednesday (KO 7.45pm).

But before he can give his opponents hell, he's got to come face-to-face with former employers Hull.

United's first game of the season at Nantwich was postponed due to the opposition's pitch not being ready, so this warm-up against Premiership newcomers Hull City was arranged (KO 7.45pm) to compensate and keep the players sharp.

"I'm looking forward to playing my old pals at Hull," Matthews said.

"That used to be me there until they found me out. So now I'm here and ready for the new season.

"It may be Hull's under 21 side but they'll be a good test.

"They won't be like the sides we'll be up against each week, but they'll give us a chance to play with the ball and show what we can do."

Talking about the Ossett match, Matthews added: "We're all looking forward to it, I'm expecting promotion with the team we've got.

"We're fourth favourites so it's important to hit the ground running, make the others look up and take notice of us.

"We got demoted despite finishing 10th last season. I certainly don't want to be in this league so I'm looking for us to go up."

ADMISSION for United versus Hull is £5 (under 16s enter for free).