This weekend, Naxxar Lions will embark on a new Premier League campaign determined to get the points on board as quickly as possible to guarantee their top flight status much earlier than they did in 2013-14.

Last season, Winston Muscat’s men enjoyed an impressive first half to the championship trek.

Despite the new environs following promotion, the Lions showed great consistency to move to the brink of a Championship Pool slot.

But then, on the turn of the new year, the Lions suffered a double blow as influential centre-half Pablo Doffo was ruled out with a serious knee injury and defender Evaldo decided to quit Maltese football, leaving Naxxar with a huge gap to fill at the back.

Naxxar, inevitably, hit a sloppy patch and slid into the Relegation Pool. In the end, they required a final day victory over fellow strugglers Vittoriosa Stars to secure their place in the top flight.

Three months on and the Lions are gearing up for a second successive campaign in the Premier League.

Coach Muscat has strengthened his options in defence with the acquisitions of Ibok Edet, formerly of Floriana, and Andrew Scicluna (ex-Balzan).

David Fenech was also brought in to add steel to the midfield while the Lions’ forward play was boosted with the signings of Terrence Vella, from Birkirkara, Brazilian Sidney Da Silva and Nigerian winger Emenike Mbachu.

“2013-14 was a frustrating season for Naxxar,” Muscat said.

Our wish now is for the players to express themselves to the full and that has to happen right from the start

“The first five months were okay but we lost two key players in January (Doffo and Evaldo) and the team struggled badly for results. It was a difficult period but still one from which we’ve learnt a lot.

“In fact, this summer we sat down with the committee and analysed the situation. Together, we identified the defence and attack as two key areas where we needed new players. With the acquisitions we’ve made we are much stronger now as a team.

“I’m still not fully satisfied with the condition of my players in general but I think the struggles they faced in pre-season was probably due to the huge workload they had to endure. We start on Sunday against Qormi. It’s a tough match but my team will be up to the task.”

Muscat reckons competition will be more difficult this year and the challenge to stay away from the red zone will again be tense.

“This season we’re all expecting a very close championship,” Muscat said.

“Birkirkara, Valletta, Hibs and Sliema Wanderers seem to be a cut above the others but there will be very little to separate the rest.

“Pieta and Żebbuġ, the newly-promoted teams, have acquired new players and Mosta, Tarxien and Balzan have all strengthened considerably. So yes, this will be an interesting season.

“Naxxar, too, will present a stronger team and our wish now is for the players to express themselves to the full and that has to happen right from the start... in the end every point counts.”

Naxxar Lions president Dione Drago said Bet In Malta will join forces with his club for the new season as the main sponsors.

He said that although they had brought in some new players, the club still had a lot of faith in those coming through the nursery. That is mirrored in the coach’s decision to promote four youngsters from the U-19s to the senior squad.

“A small club like ours relies on its nursery to produce players. We do not have the same kind of resources like the main contenders in the league to spend big in the transfer market,” Drago said.

“Here, I would like to praise the work carried out by our coach Winston Muscat and his assistant Stefano Grima.

“They are both doing an excellent job and we are pleased to see four of our youth players promoted to the senior squad as they represent the future of our club.”

Drago again contended that Naxxar are close in reaching an agreement with the authorities concerned to construct their own stadium in the village vicinities.

“Discussions are at an advanced stage and hopefully this matter will be sealed early next month,” Drago said.

“The site has already been identified and we are hopeful that soon we’ll get the green light to start our stadium project.

“We’re having to deal with a huge financial burden to see that our squad is well prepared and the training is conducted optimally.

“Hopefully, the situation will change soon.”