AFC TOTTON’S players have been to university to prepare for Saturday’s Evo-Stik South West test at home to Cinderford Town.

With the wet weather making outdoor training impossible, proposed midweek friendlies/practice matches against The Army and Havant & Waterlooville both fell through.

Instead, the Stags made use of the gym and therapy suite at Southampton Solent Uni.

The postponement of last weekend’s scheduled league match at North Leigh (now rearranged for Tuesday, March 6) means Totton haven’t played since beating Larkhall Athletic 2-0 at home a fortnight ago.

Fingers crossed, their Total Branding Community Stadium pitch will be ready for action on Saturday, but manager Louis Langdown admits it’s not in the best condition.

“Until a month ago our pitch was good, but it’s been overused,” he said.

“In the space of one week it went from a pretty good wicket to a sticky wicket.

“It’s unfortunate, but everyone’s in the same situation at the moment and, credit to us, we are getting games on and that’s good because revenue is needed at this level and the lads are getting minutes.

“The pitches are what they are, but we don’t want to keep playing on mudbaths because it’s not good for the fans to watch or for the players to be involved in.”

The two-week rest has at least given injuries time to heal.

Totton’s two Aldershot Town loanees, defender Jack Barker and midfielder Matt Bozier, have been back in training with their parent club this week.

That just leaves midfielder Jack Masterton, who limped off with a calf issue against Bideford on January 30 and hasn’t trained since.

Skipper/centre-back Dave Allen will also miss tomorrow’s 7th-versus-15th clash due to suspension.