AFC TOTTON are ready to open the door to another teenage talent following defender Jack Barker’s departure to Evo-Stik One South rivals Moneyfields.

Young left-back/centre-back Charlie Hitchings-Jones will be promoted into the Stags’ first-team squad after impressing in the youth ranks.

Barker, who initially joined the Stags on loan from Aldershot Town, has landed a full-time job as part of his Moneyfields move and Totton boss Louis Langdown understands his reasons for going.

He said: “The move suits Jack personally and we’re happy he’s secured a good job and a good team closer to his home. We’ll miss him, but football is about opportunities and we wish him well.

“We gave Jack the chance to play in the Southern League at 17 because he’s a good footballer. Now we’re going to try and do the same with Charlie.”

Totton – home to league leaders Yate Town on Saturday (3pm) – have been boosted by skipper Jack Masterton getting the all-clear to play again following a lengthy spell out with a dislocated shoulder.

“It’s massive to get him back,” said Langdown. “Everyone knows how highly we rate Jack.

“He’s been training for the last three weeks and now he can go into full contact.”

Another of Totton’s long-term absentees, goalkeeper Shane Murphy, is still a long way off playing again as he recovers from as fractured skull.

But on Tuesday night Murphy ran the rule over two of Totton's upcoming opponents when his old club Dorchester Town beat Yate 2-0 in an FA Trophy replay.

It means the Stags will travel to the Magpies’ Avenue Stadium in the second qualifying round on Saturday week (November 10, 3pm).

“Murphs was at Dorchester doing a scouting report for us,” said Langdown. “He’s keeping himself busy but, unfortunately, he’s nowhere near to playing again.

“He went swimming recently and got a headache. As soon as he gets any sort of headache, he stops."

Murphy has had the support of Saints goalkeeping pair Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster – the latter sending him a get-well message and some gloves.