Danny Cowley has welcomed an extended opportunity to work with his squad on the Copnor Road training pitches.
A gap of eight days separates the FA Cup victory at Hereford with Saturday’s League One trek to Morecambe.
There have not been too many occasions this season where a midweek fixture is absent from the crowded schedule.
And Cowley hopes that will help his men as they prepare to take on a Shrimps side sitting in the bottom four.
The Blues boss said: “It’s been good to be out training on the pitches and to get one or two players back.
“We’ve had an opportunity to keep developing the team technically and tactically, working both in and out of possession, as well as on set-pieces.
“That sets us up nicely ahead of a long journey up to Morecambe, where Derek Adams has done a very good job.
“They can use different systems and are organised, while their recent home form has been strong, beating Barnsley and drawing with Derby.
"We’ve had an opportunity to keep developing the team technically and tactically, working both in and out of possession, as well as on set-pieces."
“We know it will be tough, but we feel we’re in a good place and are looking forward to attacking the game.
“The group has done really well to navigate through a tough period, with so many players out in the middle of the pitch.”
Joe Morrell will head off to Qatar with the Wales squad to compete in the World Cup following the Morecambe contest.
Cowley said: “He has trained diligently every single day and the tournament isn’t the reason why he hasn’t found his rhythm yet.
“It’s been a bit stop-start for him so far and a case of playing catch-up, which can happen when you don’t get a proper pre-season under your belt.
“Joe is a really good professional and someone we think a lot of, but his focus will be on facing Morecambe on Saturday.
“Once we navigate through that, he can look forward to going out to Qatar with Wales and playing at a World Cup.
“It’s a brilliant moment for him. We’ll be supporting him in every game out there – except, perhaps, for the one against England! I know his family will be super proud – but so are we.
“I think he’s an inspiration for all our young players to see what’s possible and we look forward to him coming back and having a real impact in the second half of the season.”