BOWERS & Pitsea boss Rob Small admits he finds it frustrating when non-league footballers go on holidays during pre-season.

Small was unable to call upon numerous first team players for the 1-0 defeat to Canvey Island at the weekend, while Lewis Manor made his first appearance of the summer after suffering with an injury following a trip away.

And, although he understands various clubs are currently experiencing the same difficulties, Small would prefer players to enjoy holidays at the end of the campaign rather than when they are expected to report back for pre-season.

The Bowers boss, who is preparing his side for a first ever term in the Isthmian Premier League, said: “We’ve got a number of players taking holidays during pre-season and it means we’re all at different stages.

“Lewis missed the first couple of weeks because of being on holiday and then he came back and picked up a niggle, which is probably owing to the fact he is training at a level that is ahead of where he is at because the other players are two weeks into pre-season.

“He was only able to play for 45 minutes against Canvey because otherwise we risked damaging him.

“There are a lot of players missing or behind the curve.

“That’s something I find frustrating and difficult to accept but, equally, I recognise that this is non-league and probably a challenge a lot of clubs are facing at the moment.

“It’s frustrating but, ultimately, it’s where we are on August 10 that is going to matter.”

Bowers have been without winger Quentin Monville for the last three friendlies.

The former Billericay Town man, who made the move to the Len Salmon Stadium from Barking last summer, picked up a hamstring problem in the warm-up before the 5-0 romp of Concord Rangers last week.

Monville has since gone onto miss the clashes with Hashtag United and Canvey Island.

But Small feels Monville is in contention to feature in the friendly at Lowestoft Town this weekend.

And the Bowers chief, who last term led his side to a second title since taking over at the club five years ago, does not believe the wideman is in danger of missing the start of the new campaign.

Small added: “I don’t think his injury is anything that we’re overly worried about.

“It’s more a precaution as to why we are not playing him.

“Hopefully he’ll be able to play some part on Saturday but, again, we’ll probably have to strip that back to 45 minutes to protect him.

“He is a very fit boy so, of all the players in this group, he worries me the least in terms of his match fitness.

“As long as he is not injured come August 10, he’ll be fit.”

Bowers are scheduled to kick-off their Isthmian Premier League campaign against Wingate & Finchley.