Four things to watch as Dumbarton kick off pre-season with Hebburn Town clash

After a seven week break, Dumbarton fans will get a first glimpse at their new look team this Saturday as Hebburn Town make the trip from Tyneside.

Whilst the English non-league side will provide an interesting, and different, test, it will be the new look Sons who most fans will be keen to see in action.

And we’ve taken a look at four things for fans to watch out for as Stevie Farrell’s men look to put last year’s playoff heartbreak behind them.

New signings

It goes without saying that fans always look forward to seeing new signings in action, and this year will be no exception - with nine players joining the Sons during the close season.

Of those nine, three will be starting their second stints at the club; midfielders Callum Wilson (who isn’t expected to return from injury until September), Carlo Pignatiello and Tony Wallace.

Pignatiello, named the club’s Young Player of the Year for the 2021/22 campaign, is probably the most eye-catching addition, having torn up the second year of his contract with Championship Morton to return to part-time football at The Rock.

Capable of playing at right-back, central midfield or right-wing, it will be fascinating to see where Stevie Farrell decides to deploy the former Livingston man.

Equally as fascinating will be where the versatile and aggressive Blair Malcolm plays. He caught the eye at left-back and in midfield for Albion Rovers last season, and could prove the destructive hardman that Sons lacked in the middle of the park.

Centre-halves Sean Crighton and Mark Durnan arrive with more than 900 senior games between them - and will be expected to carry on the good work of Gregor Buchanan, Stuart Carswell and Peter Grant from last season.

At the opposite end of the experience