Deal Town boss Derek Hares says when his side finally return to the pitch after an enforced winter lay-off, it is going to be like the start of a new season.

Town have not played in the Safety Net Kent League, Premier Division since the 3-1 defeat to Corinthian in late November and the white-out of December means thoughts have turned to the trip to Norton on January 3.

Hares (pictured) said: "We want to get back playing, it’s as simple as that. When something like this happens, you lose all momentum and continuity.

"It affects everything, not least training. When we get back it’s going to be like the start of a new season and it will take people time to get up to speed again."

He added: "We have been lucky enough to have use of an astroturf pitch, which I know a lot of clubs have not been able to use but that will be closed for a couple of weeks over Christmas.

"We’ll try and get the boys together the week before the Norton game and hopefully be able to prepare for that."

Last week’s reserve team game against Folkestone was the only action Deal’s first team have had in six weeks and Hares said: "It is difficult for everyone. By the time we get to the New Year, that will be the only game the first team have played in six weeks. And, who’s to say we’ll even have a game then, with the way the weather has been.

"Usually we get this kind of weather in January and February, so to get it this early in the season means there’s going to be a lot of work to do to catch up.

"I don’t know if it will mean extending the season but there are going to have to be an awful lot of midweek games."