AFC TOTTON fans will have to be patient to catch their first home glimpse of new signing Mark Gamble in action on Saturday.

The prolific marksman, signed on an 18-month contract from Wimborne last week, is almost certain to feature against Bridgwater Town at the Testwood Stadium, but will again start on the bench.

Gamble debuted as a sub in last Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Yate Town, which ended a run of five games unbeaten for the 12th-placed Stags in the Southern One South & West.

But manager Steve Hollick is conscious that the striker is only just up and running again after long-term foot and ankle ligament damage and will likely stick with Nathaniel Sherborne and Dylan Knight as his starting front two.

"Gambo's been out a while and we're treading carefully with him," Hollick explained.

"He showed some good touches at Yate, but we need to get his match fitness and pace up and we'll be treating him with kid gloves.

"Physio Dave Penny is monitoring how he's reacting to games.

"Mark felt no reaction whatsoever after last week and he's champing at the bit to play.

"He'll be part of Saturday's squad and it'll be the first chance for home fans to have a look at him.

"Sherbs and Dylan have got competition now. It didn't work out at Yate, but I expect them to be firing on all cylinders against an improving Bridgwater side."

Totton romped the away fixture 5-0 in September, but Hollick expects a tougher test this time round against the 18th-placed Somerset visitors.

"We scored inside 13 seconds down there, but Bridgwater are getting better and (league leaders) Cinderford only just beat them 1-0 on Tuesday, so it's going to be tough," warned the boss.

Totton have everyone available, although wideman Nick Watts has taken a bang on the ankle.

"Wattsy's got a bit of an impact injury and winced a couple of times at Yate, but he trained fine," reported Hollick, who is spoilt for choice these days with a large squad at his disposal.

"Everyone's okay and it's just unfortunate that some players will either be left out of the 16 or sat on the bench when they don't deserve to be," he said.

"At the start of the season we had different problems with players either unfit or unavailable, but now everyone's fit and demanding to keep the shirt.

"My job is trying to keep everyone happy, but rather that than having to constantly make changes because of injuries or loss of form."