Improved league position is priority as Thurso begin their North Caley season
An improved position in the table will be the main priority for Thurso as they prepare to kick off their 2023/24 North Caledonian League campaign.
The Vikings ended up second bottom last time after struggling to field a settled team throughout much of the season.
The league's two Caithness sides sat out the opening day last weekend.
Thurso's first fixture is against Alness United at the Dammies on Saturday, while Halkirk United begin with the derby at home to the Vikings on Wednesday.
Thurso manager Michael Bremner said: "I'm just looking to finish higher than we did last season. Hopefully we will have a more settled squad.

"It's a difficult league and on their day every team can beat each other, so we'll take each game as it comes.
"We took a couple of beatings from Alness last season so we're hoping to rectify that."
The Caithness AFA promotion/relegation play-off on Friday and the Highland Amateur Cup final on Saturday will both have a bearing on Bremner's squad selection.
He said: "We're going to have a few boys missing from playing in Friday night's game, also a couple from the Wick Groats squad, and a few others with holidays and work. But hopefully we'll have a squad that is strong enough to get a result."
Clachnacuddin "A" staged a memorable comeback to salvage a point in a 4-4 draw with St Duthus in Evanton on Saturday.
The Tain outfit were 4-1 up going into the last five minutes of the 90 but Clach "A" fought back for a share of the points.
Invergordon won 4-2 at Golspie, while Inverness Athletic defeated Alness United 2-1 at Dalmore Park.
Fort William won 4-0 away to Bonar Bridge.
North Caledonian League results: Alness United 1, Inverness Athletic 2; Clachnacuddin "A" 4, St Duthus 4; Bonar Bridge 0, Fort William 4; Golspie Sutherland 2, Invergordon 4.
Fixtures – Saturday, August 19: Fort William v Orkney; Inverness Athletic v Bonar Bridge; Loch Ness v Clachnacuddin "A"; Thurso v Alness United (2pm).
Wednesday, August 23: Halkirk United v Thurso (8pm); Golspie Sutherland v St Duthus.
Saturday, August 26 – League: Orkney v Clachnacuddin "A". Football Times Cup: Alness United v Halkirk United (2pm); Bonar Bridge v St Duthus; Fort William v Golspie Sutherland; Invergordon v Loch Ness; Inverness Athletic v Thurso (2pm).