Ahead of West Ham's visit to The Lamex Stadium this weekend, Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan has said he's looking forward to his side's trip to Stevenage.
In an interview in this Saturday's brand new match day programme, 32-year old Nolan has been speaking about his previous trip to Boro, the new West Ham away kit and pre-season with Sam Allardyce's men.
“It's always nice to play your first game in pre-season," he said. "After the intense week we've had at our training camp in France we're all raring to go - it's nice to put a fresh, new kit on and I'm looking forward to it.
"It'll be a very good test for us. Knowing Graham Westley and his coaching staff, they'll be fit, ready and raring to go and they'll want to show that they can match us.
"You want those tests all the time in pre-season. The main thing is that we steer clear of injuries, as I'll keep on saying throughout the season.
"We want to be playing against good teams so that we build up towards August 16. The better the opposition you play, the more focused you'll be come the start of the season.
"We're looking forward to playing in front of our supporters again too. It was a difficult season for us all last year, players, staff and fans alike. We're all just looking forward to a fresh new season, with fewer injuries to key individuals and we know if that does happen we'll have a good season."
Kevin played in the Mitchell Cole Benefit Game last year
"I played at Stevenage in Mitchell Cole's benefit match and it was a fantastic atmosphere. The crowd were in great spirits that night and that’s great testament to Mitchell.
"I was very honoured to play in the game and I'm looking forward to going back. The dressing rooms remind me on when I was in the youth team at Bolton. We're looking forward to getting going and getting ready for what's going to be a great first home game against Spurs.”
To read the full interview, pick up a copy of our new-look match day programme available inside the ground and Club Shop on Saturday afternoon, priced at £3.
For ticket information for the West Ham game, please click here.