Neal Bishop has revealed he is feeling a mixture of excitement and tension as he prepares to make his Notts County debut this weekend.

County kick off their League Two campaign with the visit of Bradford City this weekend and the summer signing from Barnet simply can't wait to get the season underway.

"There is a mixture of excitement and tension the longer the week goes on," said the midfielder.

"You want to impress so you are apprehensive, but by the same token you are excited because playing football for points again is what you have worked hard for over the last six weeks.

"The hours have been put in on the training field - as have the miles running - so I just want to get it started!

"I don't really like friendly matches, I prefer being involved in the cut-and-thrust of League action.

"I think that is when I am at my best and I really can't wait to get going.

"I want to let my football do the talking, and I hope that can start on Saturday."

After a good pre-season - which included a week-long trip to Austria - Bishop is expecting a good turn-out at Meadow Lane when the Bantams come to town.

He said: "The season seemed a long way away when we were running around Wollaton Park on the first day of pre-season.

"We've had a great pre-season since then and when you think about it, it has flown by.

"I'm really excited now and I cannot wait for the season to start.

"We've got a really good game to start things off with Bradford coming to Meadow Lane, I would imagine we will have a good crowd and we will have a good atmosphere down here.

"It is a good test for us and they have aspirations to get promoted like ourselves this year, so it will give us a good indication of where we are."