ORIENT could not have wished for a more exciting first match of the season, according to manager Martin Ling.

The O's kick off the 2007/08 season with a local derby at recently relegated Southend United and Ling cannot wait to take on the Shrimpers, with whom he spent nearly five years as a player in the late 1980s.

"It's certainly one to look forward to," he said.  "We've missed the local derbies against Southend in the last two years so it's great that we'll be able to take them on at the earliest possible opportunity this season.

"I know the fans will also be looking forward to it and we will doubtless take a huge following there.

"As I've already said on many occasions this summer, I want us to show a big improvement next season and it would be excellent if we could lay down a marker for our ambitions right at the very start of the campaign.

"The squad is beginning to take shape with the four arrivals we've had so far, and with several new faces to still bring in this is an exciting time for the club."