Witham Town manager Garry Kimble has issued a warning to his players – stay fit or you will be dropped.

The recent cold snap has left the non-league football fixture list in tatters and, like all clubs in the Essex Senior League, Witham haven’t had a game since late January.

That’s not ideal for a side chasing the league title and with rivals breathing down their necks.

Kimble knows his team can’t afford to slip up when they do return to action.

Their next league game is due to come at Eton Manor on Saturday and their manager wants his players to be fully prepared, despite the weather’s interruption to their training regime.

He said: “We are all itching for a game and this cold weather has left everyone frustrated.

“I told the boys that February and March would decide who will win the title and everyone has been left in no doubt that they have to stay fit.

“Even if they aren’t playing games they have to look after themselves and I know the majority of them will do fitness work on their own down the gym.

“But there are one or two who may not do enough and they need to know that that’s not good enough,” Kimble added.

“If anyone isn’t ready to hit the ground running, they won’t be in the side."

See the Witham and Braintree Times this week for the full version of this story and for all the latest news and exclusive views from Spa Road.