AN away game at Tiverton Town is a big ask at the best of times, let alone when you are missing seven of your better players.

But that’s exactly the predicament Winchester City find themselves in on Saturday when Jamie Ford, Robbie Matthews, Sam Wilson, Howard Neighbour, Danny Smith, Joe Hayward and Danny King are all absent for the trip to Devon.

Player unavailability has been a thorn in City’s side all season and the problem has been magnified this weekend because it’s Easter.

But that gets short shrift from Winchester’s new player-boss Craig Davis who struggles to get his head around taking holidays during the season.

“I never missed a game through holidays and it’s never happened at any of the teams I’ve played for,” said the former Bashley, AFC Totton and Salisbury midfielder.

“Obviously there’s the odd thing you can’t miss like your brother’s wedding, but going on holiday during the season isn’t right at this level. It’s a mind-set thing.”

“I hear what Graham Kemp (departing Bemerton manager) is saying about player unavailability and I agree with him but, at the end of the day, that’s the Wessex League. There are good Wessex players who could be playing higher, but it’s a big jump up to Step 4 where we are.

“This is a serious level of football and, if you want to part of it and be successful, you have to have a group that all think the same way.

“Missing games through holidays just isn’t right.

"But I can't blame the lads for it this year because the precedent needs to be set early and it hasn't been set well this year."

With fourth-placed Tiverton jockeying with Salisbury, Taunton and Evesham for home advantage in the play-offs, there is a lot riding on Saturday's Southern One South & West fixture.

“It’ll be tough against a good Tiverton side,” said Davis, who can at least select himself after a one-match suspension. Tenacious defender Adam Tomasso may also make a comeback from injury.

“They’re big and physical and we’re increasingly small but, at the end of the day, it’s a great experience for the players," he added. "We’ve got nothing to lose and it’s a good chance for me to see them at close quarters.

“Things aren't ideal at the moment, but the bigger picture is exciting. We’re stepping up plans for next year and certain players will be coming in.

“There are four or five from (Davis’s former club) Fleet, who I’d take straight away. They’ve got the right mentality and would enhance the side. And there are one or two others we’ve spoken to who would improve us.”

Davis expects to have a bigger squad available for the Easter Monday derby at home to AFC Totton (3pm).