ONLY promotion will do for Surrey this season.

That's the message from cricket manager Chris Adams ahead of the first Championship clash of the season against Northamptonshire at the Oval on Friday.

Surrey, who dominated county cricket in the first part of the millennium, face their third season in Division Two this year having been relegated in 2008.

But Adams thinks a return to the glory days is not far away and backed his team.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

"Anything less than promotion would be a failure this season as far as I'm concerned," he said. "I want to win it this year."

In Adams' first two years in charge, the Lions finished a disappointing seventh of the nine second tier teams. But the former Sussex captain says the transition phase is complete, with his young squad now ready to compete with the big boys.

"Pre-season has gone really well and we are very pleased with where we are going.

"We have a good balance of youth and experience and I'm particularly excited about two young prospects we have here in Jason Roy and Tom Maynard.

"Both have been hitting the ball very well in the warm up games and I expect them both to have strong seasons for us.

"This is my third year here but this is the first time that we have a squad that we are truly happy with."

It has been a busy winter at the Oval with a number of changes to the playing staff.

Out have gone former England batsman Usman Afzaal, South African quick Andre Nel and youngster Laurie Evans while Kevin Pietersen, Zander de Bruyn and Yasir Arafat have all joined.

Young skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown (pictured) will again captain the side while England wicket-keeper Steven Davies has been promoted to vice captain.

"I learnt a huge amount last season and I'm looking forward to continuing to develop as a captain this season," said Hamilton-Brown. "I went to Australia and worked on a few things on my own game too. I'll keep being aggressive but I think I'm a more mature batsman now."