JOSH Jeffries says the 11th-hour postponement of Wednesday night’s home BigFreeBet.com Challenge Cup clash with Taunton could prove to be a blessing in disguise for his Frome Town troops.

The visitors were unable to raise a side for the contest, meaning Frome are poised to take their place in round four without kicking a ball by virtue of a walkover.

Illness, however, has swept through the Frome camp during recent days, with manager Jeffries himself affected.

He had registered three players who normally play Western League football ahead of the match to ensure Frome were in a position to to fulfil the fixture.

“I’ve been working hard to make sure we had enough players, so it’s not ideal,” said Jeffries.

“We were struggling to get a side together ourselves because there’s a horrible bug going around.

"Playing matches is better than training, but maybe everybody spending a bit longer away from one another will help.”

The Robins entertain Evo-Stik League Southern Premier leaders King’s Lynn Town on Saturday, having held the Norfolk outfit to a goalless draw in the previous meeting between the sides in August.

Kris Miller returns from a ban and Jon Davies should have recovered from illness, but defender Sam Teale is suspended.

Jeffries was pleased with his side’s response last Saturday as they followed a disappointing defeat to Merthyr Town with a 2-1 away success over Biggleswade.

Marcus Mapstone and Ollie Knight netted either side of half-time but Frome were indebted to a string of fine saves from keeper Kyle Phillips after Tony Burnett pulled one back for the hosts.

“I’d have been disappointed if we hadn’t produced that performance but it was nice to see,” said Jeffries.

“It’s been up and down this season and the reason we will probably fall a bit short of the top sides is down to the consistency shown by the sides who are up there at the moment.”