Let’s start with a bang!

Lyon will skipper the side due to captain Matty Douglas still recovering from a broken wrist during the League Cup group campaign which starts on Tuesday night against Edinburgh City. Queens then host Ross County next Saturday and then face two away trips to Partick Thistle and derby rivals Stranraer. And Lyon is adamant the team have one objective – to progress to the last 16 of the competition. Lyon said: “We made signings in January and had everyone fit for the back end of last season. If we had that at the start of last campaign we would’ve done much better. “The end of last season wasn’t disappointing as we went on a great unbeaten run, but we let ourselves down in the home play-off match against Cove. “We’re unbeaten in pre-season and the boys look like we’re already up to speed. We’re looking forward to the start of the season. “There’s some good teams in our group as Edinburgh City beat Falkirk in a pre-season friendly. “I saw some of their training sessions and they were running up the sand on the beach. I’m not sure that will be an easy test to start off with. “We’re looking to get through the group and obviously when we play Ross County we know we need to get a result in that game. “We all want to play the big teams and Ross County have dropped down into the Championship. I’m sure Palmerston will be jumping for that game and we’ll be up for the challenge.” The 25-year-old has featured in all of the Queens bounce games – and scored a wonder goal to secure a 3-3 draw at Dumbarton last time out. He’s played alongside young midfielder Ben Johnstone, who he believes has come on leaps and bounds and it could be a breakthrough year for the Moffat lad. Lyon added: “Even two years ago when I was at Kelty, I’m pretty sure Ben played the game and I noticed him. I thought he played well. “Ever since I’ve come here, Ben is always one of the best players in training and this year I’m sure Ben will get the opportunity to show that on the pitch.” Meanwhile, Palmy gaffer Peter Murphy knows the group is a great opportunity for the club and hopes the majority of the squad can keep fit during it. He added: “It looks on paper that it could be a good opportunity to get through but the teams are strong. “Edinburgh City have kept a group of players together who have done really well. They should be strong. “It’s a tough group and anything can happen but if we keep everybody fit we could be in a good position. “The only thing we’ll say is playing Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday really takes its toll so we’ll maybe look at the younger players during the cup games. “That will be good for the players and for the future of the club, even if we don’t get the results this season but the kids playing will benefit from it.” And when asked whether Taylor Charters will feature at left back or at the heart of the Queens midfield this season, Murphy said: “With the fact that we’ve lost Oscar MacIntyre who was the regular starter last season, Taylor has been brilliant filling in at left back at the end of the season. “We’ve signed Taylor knowing that we’ll probably have a smaller squad than last year and having players who can play in a number of positions can help us. “Taylor is our main left back at this moment in time, but we know that Brennan Dickenson can also play in that position when he comes back. Reece Lyon can step in at centre back and right back. “As long as we’ve got all those positions covered we should be in a good position, barring if we have a number of unlucky injuries.” Queens host Edinburgh City on Tuesday night with a 7.45 pm kick off.