BLUEBIRDS boss Mark Collier is more than satisfied that he has enough options at his disposal, despite midfielder Bryan Smith quitting Chippenham Town last weekend.

Manager Collier says that Smith, 31, reacted to being left out of the Chippenham squad for last month’s game against Hitchin Town by informing him by text message that he would be leaving the club.

The Hardenhuish Park manager also confirmed that he doesn’t expect to have young striker Mark Francis available again this season due to personal reasons.

But with a host of Chippenham Park players available to him, including teenage defender Charlie Norman, who was on the bench as the Bluebirds won at Banbury United last weekend, Collier is content with his lot.

“Bryan Smith was left out of the starting eleven for the game against Hitchin because we went for Michael Pook in that position and all I know is that he let me know by text message that he wouldn’t be playing anymore,” said the Chippenham manager.

“I haven’t had a conversation with him – and that’s not for the want of trying – and he’s dropped his training kit off at the club.

“We have a squad of players and I can’t guarantee any player a start.

“Mark Francis has decided to take a break from playing because of a personal reasons and there’s only seven weeks or so of the season to go, so the next we’ll hopefully see him is pre-season.

“We’ve definitely got more than enough options in the squad. You can name five substitutes but you can only bring on three, so we let Ryan Campbell, who’s in the first team squad, play for Park last weekend.

“With Greg Tindle injured, Charlie Norman got his chance to be a part of the squad last weekend and there are other players that are signed on with us like George Nash, who we’re keeping a close eye on.”

Charlie Griffin converted from Jordan Roberts’ low cross as he got his first Chippenham goal since returning to the club late last week as Collier’s men saw off struggling Banbury.

The Puritans’ Tom Ryan was credited with an own goal as he poked the ball into his own net under pressure from Griffin before Ashan Holgate’s blasted a left-footed drive past former Swindon Town youngster Leigh Bedwell.

Banbury’s Leam Howards reduced the deficit before Alex Ferguson was left unmarked to nod home his ninth league goal of the season from a Michael Pook corner.

Griffin was unlucky to see his curling effort strike the post before the home side netted their second of the afternoon through Hicham Abdellah’s near-post header.

Toby Osman looks set to be out for the next two weeks with a knee injury but Greg Tindle should return for this weekend’s home clash with Burnham.