Kings Langley joint boss Paul Hughes says he is encouraged by his team’s start to pre-season as they prepare to enter the unknown.

The village outfit, who are preparing for their fairy tale first season in the Southern League Premier Division after three successive promotions, have so far beaten one Conference South Club and drawn with another – both without conceding a goal.

They beat neighbours Hemel Hempstead Town 1-0 on Saturday with a goal from Immanuelson Duku and then followed up with a goalless draw against St Albans City on Tuesday.

Hughes said: “We are very encouraged with what we have seen so far. The lads have come back very fit and very hungry and in the first two games we haven’t conceded a goal against two Conference South teams which is a good achievement.

“The two performances have been very good. Overall our shape has been good. The first game was very good and they stepped up a gear on Tuesday.

“Pre-season games aren’t much of an indicator in terms of results but the performances have been very encouraging. On Tuesday we kept the ball very well.

“The St Albans game could have been 3-3. We had some gilt-edged chances and so did they. Both goalkeepers made some good saves.”

Now they face an even bigger test this weekend with a home game against a QPR XI on Saturday.

Hughes said: “QPR are going to be technically the best we have faced. They will keep the ball very well and it will be a test for us of when to press and when to keep our shape.”

Kings signed three players in the summer – resigning former Stevenage and Wealdstone striker Connor Calcutt, who started his career at Kings Langley scoring once in three games, former Berkhamsted attacker Josh Chamberlain and Aylesbury United centre back Kyle Anthony.

And on Saturday the three of them could be in harness for the first time. Calcutt has so far been away on holiday and not featured while Anthony managed just a half against St Albans in midweek after getting off a plane from his honeymoon in Bali earlier that day.

But the QPR game has come too soon for number 10 David Hutton who tore his calf in training. He is unlikely to be fit for Kings’ historic first league game.

Lewis Toomey, who has previously scored goals at this level, also will not feature. The forward has spent a year travelling in Australia but is not fit enough to be considered.

Hughes is happy with the squad they have assembled on what is expected to be the smallest budget in the division by some distance, but he hinted there could be room for one more addition before the season gets under way.

The fixtures are released today and Hughes says if they do not get someone else in before the start of the season they are good to go with what they have got.

He said: “It’s going to be a huge challenge for us this season but the key to our success is that we’ve got players here who love football and want to do well for themselves and each other. They are all hungry and want to play higher.”

Hughes expects himself and joint manager Ritchie Hanlon to face a battle holding onto the players who have taken the club this far.

He said: “I expect other clubs to be interested in them and that’s a big compliment to the players who have done so well.”