PAUL Braithwaite says Wootton Bassett Town are chomping at the bit to return to action after four weeks without a game.

Bassett travel to high-flying Thame United on Saturday to play their first match since the impressive 3-1 success away at Brimscombe & Thrupp on December 27.

Braithwaite has continued to work his troops hard despite the lack of competitive action and hopes that rustiness will not be an issue at Meadow View Park.

“Fingers crossed the weather holds up,” said Braithwaite.

“I think Thame played a midweek friendly at home, so if they’re doing that then there shouldn’t be a problem with the pitch.

“It will be good to get back out there. The last two weeks we’ve had training on a Saturday and a couple of the guys have been involved with the reserves as well. We’ve managed to keep doing things, which is important.

“We haven’t played a game in a while so it’s hard to say how we might go initially.

“It might take us 45 minutes to get into it again but hopefully not. You’d like to think the hunger to be playing again makes us pick up right from where we left off in the game after Christmas.”

The enforced break has had its plus points for Bassett as it has allowed Steve Robertson and Nathan Hawkins to recover from their ankle niggles, with Braithwaite confirming he has a fully-fit squad to pick from this weekend.

“There are no issues at all,” he said.

“We should have a squad of 16, so the next couple of days will be interesting for me and my coaches as we try to choose which way to go.”

The challenge ahead of Bassett could not be much greater as they face a Thame side who have won 12 of their last 13 league matches.

The only defeat in that time came in a 2-0 loss at Thatcham Town last weekend.

But Braithwaite has taken solace in Bassett’s own recent good form as they look to upset the odds.

“They have done well and after losing last week I’m sure they’ll look to respond,” said Braithwaite.

“When we go away we need to make sure we are hard to beat and see what we can come away with.

“We are on a mini unbeaten run ourselves and we’re looking to continue that. We’ve picked up five points in the last three games and we’ll try and pick up some more this weekend.”

Meanwhile, second-from-bottom Shrivenham are at home to Bracknell Town.