TONY Burman has explained his decision not to take his interest in former Arsenal youngster Ashley Probets any further.

Probets was vying for the final place in Burman’s squad with Tom Bonner and both had impressed on trial.

But Bonner signed up last week, ending Probets’ chances of earning a deal at Princes Park.

Burman said: “We had to let Ashley Probets go, we just had too many.

“I wanted to be fair to Ashley. He’s done very well and he’s been unlucky not to be signed but you never know, his time might come again.”

Bonner justified his new boss’s decision, though, by scoring the only goal in Dartford’s 1-0 victory over Tonbridge Angels at the weekend to round off the club’s solid pre-season.

And the Darts boss admits he cannot wait to attack the new season despite a tough start to the season in their new surroundings, beginning with title favourites Havant & Waterlooville.

He said: “The pre-season has gone fine.

“From the first day we started until now our fitness has increased and they’re getting to the right levels.

“But you can’t beat competitive games when there’s something to really play for and that all happens on Saturday when the season starts.

“Havant are one of the favourites to win the league and in the first two weeks I think we meet with another three favourites in the division.

“You’ve just got to get on with it and see how things go.”

On his own side’s chances this season, Burman added: “We’re going into the unknown a little bit, but it is a level a lot of people believe we deserve to be at and I’m included in that.

“We’re going into it with an open mind, we know it’s going to be tough but having said that, we’re going to enjoy ourselves.

“I don’t want to go and consolidate, I want to attack the league in the way we always have. I think you’ve got to set your sights higher, why not?

“If you are up near the right end of the league at Christmas, and still there by February, then you’ve got a good chance.”