BASILDON United’s preparations for this weekend’s Isthmian North clash with Romford have been hampered due to a waterlogged pitch.

New Bees boss John Sussex, who replaced Neil Blackburn at the helm last week, was forced to cancel training on Tuesday because of the playing surface at the club's training facility being submerged after the wet weather in recent days.

But Sussex insists that a cancelled session will not affect the mindset of his players heading into a home clash with the division’s bottom side.

The former Witham Town assistant manager said: “I have been in charge for a week now and we had a very good session last Thursday.

“We worked on a gameplan and the players executed it well at Felixstowe & Walton United.

“We were unlucky to lose 1-0 to an injury time winner because we restricted them to just a couple of chances.

“They had more possession but we also had chances and, on another day, we could have come away with a win or draw.

“We then turned our attentions towards Romford and I was looking forward to getting the players in for training, but we then found out that the pitch had been flooded and so we had to cancel the session.

“But hopefully we will be back in training tonight and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Sussex made his first signing in the form of defender Eli Benoit last week.

And Sussex may strengthen his side ahead of this weekend.

“I am looking to bring in one player, but that is proving difficult,” added Sussex.