CURTIS Weston is backing the Barnet squad to adapt to the challenge of playing in the Conference Premier this season.

The 26-year-old is expected to play a key role for the club as the Bees attempt to get back into the Football League at the first attempt.

Although the Londoner has never tasted non-league football in his career as a professional, he believes Barnet have the right tools to succeed in what is a notoriously tough division.

“It’s going to be a different challenge for us but you have some games in League Two which are similar to the games that are we going to play in the Conference,” he said.

“I think we can mix it up enough. I think we have got players that have got real steel.”

“We’ll be fine because we’ve got a footballing side and a bit of a rough side about us as well so I think we’ll be good.”

Bees assistant Ulrich Landvreugd recently told the Harrow Observer that Barnet’s young players will get the opportunity to impress this season.

And Weston urged the club’s starlets to seize their chance.

“It’s time to step up now,” he said.

“If you’re a young player you’ve got to step up to the plate and we’ve got youngsters with good ability.

“I think sometimes that side of the game where the roughness comes in they will be able to use their ability and override that.

“But they will need to step up because it’s going to be a hard league and they’ll find that out sooner rather than later.”

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