STRIKER Tony Lee has yo-yoed back to AFC Totton after struggling to get game time with National League South outfit Poole Town.

The former Eastleigh frontman originally joined the Stags during the summer but, just over a month later, he grabbed the opportunity to play two leagues higher with Tom Killick’s Poole.

However, his opportunities have been restricted with the Dolphins and he returns to Totton on a short-term loan hoping to get some minutes under his belt in the Evo-Stik South West.

It means a mini Spitfires reunion for Southampton-based Lee who links up with former Eastleigh young guns Jack Smith and Jack Masterton at the Total Branding Community Stadium.

Totton boss Louis Langdown, who will draft Lee straight into the squad for Saturday's trip to Cinderford Town, said: “Tony’s young and he needs game time. We tried to tell him that when he left for Poole, but it fell on deaf ears!

“He scored one or two for Poole in pre-season, but he’s not really had many minutes there.

“He trained with us pre-season too and we haven’t changed drastically since, so he already knows our lads.”

With midfielder Charlie Gunson showing the potential to be a useful striker, Totton now have good frontline options as they look to lift the weight off Nathaniel Sherborne and Craig Feeney.

“Sherbs and Feens have had to play every game so far,” said Langdown. “We’ve had Nimes Pina around in fits and starts, but he’s not always here and not always fit.

“So when Tony made noises that he wanted game time, we jumped all over it.

“It helps. We’ve had a right old go lately and come close against better opposition, but just fallen short.”

Tuesday was a case in point as Totton took league leaders Taunton Town to extra-time in their FA Trophy preliminary round replay only to bow out 2-1.

The seventh-placed Stags, who have also signed ex-Saints defender Pedro Monteiro (Pele) as back-up, are without injured trio Connor York, Sam Roberts and Dave Allen to face 17th-placed Cinderford.

Alfy Whittingham returns and Langdown hopes to have Aldershot loan defender Jack Barker available again after another fine performance on Tuesday.