AFC TOTTON boss Steve Hollick intends giving some of his younger players more of a run-out between now and the end of the Southern One South & West campaign.

Jake Burgess came back into midfield for last Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Slimbridge and, with full-back Marc Diaper unavailable for a couple of weeks, there is a chance of 17-year-old Mitch Hunt seeing a bit more first-team action.

Burgess, who turns 19 in the summer, was a regular earlier in the season but has had to bide his time on the bench in recent weeks.

Hollick said: “Jake was a bit unfortunate to miss out when we changed our shape, but he’s been very patient and I’m conscious of the need to give young players a chance to develop in this league.

“They could get Wessex games, but it’s a different type of football in the Southern League and it’s also about getting them used to the travelling.

“Southern League football is very much about Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday commitment and we’ve got another early start on Saturday when we go to Tiverton Town. It’s all part and parcel of playing at this level.

“These young lads have been phenomenal. There are no grumbles from them, they get their heads down and work ever so hard in training.

“You can’t flood the side with youngsters, it’s about getting the balance right and drip-feeding them into the side.

"(Striker) Dylan Knight’s 19 and he’s developing his game alongside the experience of Nathaniel Sherborne, Mark Gamble and Mark Lilley. It’s the same in midfield."

Totton exited the FA Trophy 2-0 at Tiverton in October and the sides fought out an entertaining 2-2 league draw at the Testwood Stadium a week later.

“It’ll be a good test for our young lads tomorrow,” said Hollick.

“Tiverton are a well-established Southern League side full of big guys and they're very well organised.

"We were lucky to go there at the end of last season and get a smash ‘n’ grab 1-0. This year we’ve had two very close games.”

Former Wimborne hotshot Gamble was left with a sore ankle as he continued along the road to full fitness with a 75-minute run-out against Slimbridge .

“Gambo did a bit more than we wanted him to do, but it was good. He scored his goal and he’ll be back fit and raring to go,” said Hollick.