Kyle Lightbourne is under no illusions how difficult the task will be in establishing Robin Hood as a Premier Division force.Lightbourne has succeeded Andrew Bascome, who stepped down as Hood coach after guiding them to a seventh place finish in their inaugural top flight season.The former Stoke and Coventry striker is confident he can build on the foundations laid by Bascome, but admits pre-season has been less than ideal due to a player shortage at the Richmond Road club.“To be honest it’s been a slow start to pre-season. We’ve struggled for numbers at times for various different reasons and we don’t have the biggest of squads,” he said.“I’m still getting my feet wet (at the club); I haven’t really enjoyed this pre-season to be honest, it’s been hard going as I’ve had to play in a few games which isn’t ideal.“I’m hoping to build on what (Andrew Bascome) did last year, but that certainly won’t be easy.”Although Hood have lost the services of Drewonde Bascome, who has moved to Devonshire Cougars, and workaholic striker David Outerbridge, who has decided to step down to the Corona League, Lightbourne has added to his squad during the transfer window.Takehyi Walker, Roger Lee, Tahj Bell and Robert Wilson have all nailed their colours to the Hood mast, while the club are hoping to complete the signing of Quadir Maynard as a late transfer.Another newcomer who may have to wait until November 1 before seeing action is striker Antwan Russell who has agreed to move to Hood from PHC.It’s understood there have been issues with the player’s paperwork although Hood are still hopeful the problem can be solved before the start of the campaign.Russell is set to return to Toronto FC in January for a second trial, having recently trained with the MLS side, and being forced to sit out the first month of the season certainly wouldn’t help his chances.“It looks like this year we’re going to rely on a few late transfers,” said Lightbourne. “We’ve lost a few influential players such as Drewonde Bascome and David Outerbridge, who has gone to play in the Corona League and Teddy Terceira, who is concentrating on work.“Then we’ve also lost Jason and Steven Simons, so that’s five players right there who we have to cope without.“I have my work cut out for me, but we’ve just got to work hard and dig in as a group and get some results. The balance of the team is not quite right but we have got a good bunch of guys.”Lightbourne is braced for a tough opening game against a resurgent Somerset Trojans who he believes could be a ‘dark horse’ this season.Hood will likely be without new signing Walker who picked up an injury in a recent friendly against North Village.“I feel Trojans will be a tough game for us; they could be dark horses this season,” said Lightbourne. “They impressed me last season and they have a good young team up. They are full of energy and will keep running until the end.Hood take on Trojans at the Goose Gosling Field on Saturday, September 22.