CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mark Collier believes a rare fixtureless weekend on the calendar will do his side the world of good.

National League South clubs turn their focus back to the FA Trophy on Saturday, with the Bluebirds’ ambitions in the national knockout competition having come to an end in the previous round.

Chippenham now have no game scheduled until a trip to Concord Rangers in the league on December 22.

Although the Bluebirds are still enjoying a solid season and currently sit 11th in the table after 20 league games, last weekend’s loss at Hungerford Town was their third in a row in all competitions.

Collier admits there is a lack of spark about his side at present due to persistent selection issues, and the Bluebirds boss therefore hopes the enforced break can be just the tonic they need.

“I think we’re just missing a little bit of mojo at this moment in time and a little bit of confidence has gone out of the players,” said Collier.

“There’s things for us to work on and with no league game at the weekend, I think that break has come at a good time for us.

“There are a few players who are struggling with knocks and we need to get our leaders back on the pitch.

“We are missing a bit of experience and we looked a young side out there against Hungerford last weekend.

“We lacked that little bit of nous out on the pitch, and once they go over that white line, the players have got to do things themselves.

“I think they failed to do that a little bit last weekend.”

Once Chippenham resume their campaign, they will do so without Andy Sandell after the striker’s departure from the club was confirmed late last week.

Former Football League player Sandell joined the Bluebirds in 2015 and helped them win the Southern League Premier Division title in the 2016-17 season, but the 35-year-old has been held back by injury this term.

Collier said: “Andy has had a cruciate ligament injury, so he is going to be out for eight or nine months.

“His contract is up at the end of the season and he has come to an agreement with the chairman that he can move on and concentrate on his rehab.

“He has been a fantastic player for us – I think he got two golden boots and was a member of the title-winning team as well.

“He has had a great career at Chippenham with the goals he has scored, and we wish him well with his rehab and whatever he does next.”