AFC TOTTON are unlikely to have wing wizard Mike Gosney casting a spell over Shortwood United at the Testwood Stadium tomorrow.

The Gosport Borough loanee is still struggling with back spasms, but the good news for Stags fans is that there is a new talent in town.

Manager Steve Riley has swooped for teenage midfielder/forward Jack Hoey , pictured below, who, after impressing early-season for Wessex outfit Alresford Town, has spent the last few weeks with Totton’s Southern One South & West rivals Bashley.

It was back in July that Hoey first came to Riley’s attention in the Stags’ pre-season opener against Alresford.

And when the youngster impressed again in last month’s showdown with Bashley, he climbed towards the top of Totton’s ‘wanted’ list.

“Jack caught my eye when we played Alresford and I had a word with (former Magpies boss) Jeremy Stagg about him,” Riley explained. “And when we played Bashley, he caught my eye again.

“He’s an intelligent sort of player with a good footballing brain. He reads the game very well. He’s quite versatile too and can play up front, in midfield or out wide. He should fit in really well with our youngsters.”

A former Christchurch youth player, Hoey also had a spell at New Milton before linking up with Alresford during the summer.

Stagg, a Rolls Royce of a midfielder with Bashley in his heyday, said at the time that he had high hopes for the young man, describing him as “a strong, confident lad who likes to get forward”.

Riley agreed: “Jack caused us quite a lot of problems playing off a lone striker.

“He gives us strength in depth and he will complement what we’ve already got.

“We’re looking forward to finishing the season well with a view to next season.”

Totton and tomorrow’s visitors Shortwood are locked together on 46 points, just five adrift of the play-off zone.

And with a tough run of games coming up against the division’s top four, Riley expects the next three weeks to sort the men out from the boys.

Next Saturday Totton travel to second-placed Taunton Town, followed by a home game against third-placed Evesham on February 28.

A Tuesday trip to fourth-placed Stratford Town then beckons on March 3, before leaders Merthyr Town visit the Testwood Stadium on Saturday, March 7.

“This will be a massive test of where we are as a team and as a football club,” said Riley.

“In truth. the next few games will define our season and, as always, we’re up for the challenge.”