Two of Stevenage's three to watch are recruits from non-league this summer, according to The Comet sports editor Mark Hemmings.

Centre back Dean Wells was brought in from Conference National side Braintree Town, while Tom Pett was taken from Conference South side Wealdstone.

Wells in particular has a point to prove, as he is undergoing a second chance in both his career and his life.

The 29 year old had a brief taste of the pro game when he came through the ranks at Brentford, making a solitary appearance before drifting into the non-league game with Hampton & Richmond Borough, where he spent seven years.

Rolling Stone: Tom Pett celebrates promotion with Wealdstone

This came to an abrupt half in April 2011, when he was jailed for affray after taking part in a brawl between Brentford and Leyton Orient fans at Liverpool Street station.

On being released six months later, Wells played briefly for Staines before linking up with his former Hampton boss Alan Devonshire at Braintree, where he made a real name for himself.

His inspired performances for the Essex side led to Stevenage offering him a second shot at the pro game this summer, and he has been the stand out player so far for the League Two side.

Pett, who has played for the England C team, and whose girlfriend Kim Little is a successful female international footballer, has also made the step up comfortably and been a star performer for Stevenage this season.

Boro boy: Simon Walton (right) in action against West Ham

Alongside these unpolished diamonds, however, the third man to watch is a grizzled veteran of more than 200 games for the likes of Leeds, Charlton, QPR, Plymouth and Hartlepool, Simon Walton .

The gritty midfielder missed Stevenage's first two games of the season but has done quite well since coming into the side.