AFTER watching Sunderland win promotion to the FA Women’s Super League 1 last season, Durham have set their sights on joining their neighbours at the top table of women’s football.

The Wildcats get their second campaign in the WSL 2 underway against Doncaster Rovers Belles at the Keepmoat Stadium tonight.

Lee Sanders’ team is looking to build on their first season as a competitive club when they surprised many to finish sixth despite claiming only seven points from their first nine games.

There is the added carrot that two teams will be promoted to WSL 1 instead of one and Durham have sent a strong message to the rest of the league with their business during the close season.

They announced their fifth signing yesterday when former Sunderland, Leeds United and Lincoln City midfielder Rachel Lee joined Helen Alderson, Julie Nelson, Becky Beech and Amelia Pereira at New Ferens Park.

Relegated Everton will start as favourites for the title, but Sanders believes his squad can spring another surprise by challenging for promotion.

“Our realistic aim is to improve on what we did last season but the league will be very competitive this year,” the manager said. “I can’t see there being another situation where two teams run away at the top.

“Everton are undoubtedly a force and you’ve also got Doncaster, Aston Villa and Reading. They’re all great teams but with the players we’ve brought in we are capable of competing.

“When you look at our squad there’s no reason why we can’t challenge for one of the top two spots.

“We have made changes and it will take time for the team to settle but I feel we are far better equipped to hit the ground running.

“If we can do what we did last season and cause a surprise it would be great, but we’ll just go about our business as effectively as we can and not worry about anyone else.”

Newcomers Nelson, Lee and Alderson bring some much-needed experience to a youthful squad. Defender Nelson has played in the Champions League with former club Glasgow City and has over 60 caps for Northern Ireland, while goalkeeper Alderson was part of Sunderland’s FA Cup final squad in 2009 and won several league titles with the Lady Black Cats.

Sanders admitted adding some experienced heads was a must but he stressed that the nucleus of the squad will continue to be players that have come up through the ranks.

She said: “There has been a lot of changes to the squad but we’ve got a lot more experience this year.

“Last year we had a lot of kids. They are still the lifeblood of the club, but at this level you need to have experience.

“It was something we lacked last season so we’ve worked hard during the close season to make the squad stronger.

“There’s also much bigger competition for places. Everyone did well in our first season and our position at the end of it spoke volumes but to push on you need freshen things up and make changes.”

Durham suffered a huge blow a months ago when skipper Caroline Dixon was ruled out for the entire season with a serious knee injury.

The versatile midfielder sustained the injury playing for Durham University in their last game of the season, but Sanders revealed she will play a big part off the field.

“Losing Caz has been a massive blow,” he said. “She’s the club captain and while she’ll be big miss on the pitch she’s working behind the scenes to help put the girls through their paces.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure she comes back fitter and stronger. That won’t be this season, but she’s certainly got a major part to play at this club in the future and she’s still a focal point in the dressing room.”

Durham get their season underway at Doncaster tonight before back-to-back home games against Oxford United and Millwall Lionesses on March 29 and April 5.