Ian Evatt has joked he will be well prepared for any ‘dark arts’ that might materialise at Cambridge United this weekend.

The Wanderers boss got himself in a fluster during last week’s FA Cup defeat to Barnsley, frustrated at some of the gamesmanship being employed by the Yorkshiremen to give them an advantage.

Among the tricks, he claimed, was the sudden disappearance of pitch-side towels to dry the ball for a throw in.

The EFL has proposed to clubs that the multi-ball system could be reintroduced next month, which may speed up the process of getting the ball back in play.

Evatt has his doubts – but said he would be one step ahead if any problems should arise at the Abbey Stadium this afternoon.

“I have seen the multi-ball system applied where suddenly you get behind in games and clubs suddenly chuck the ball boys and girls into the crowd,” he said.

“It happened with the towels on Saturday. We had fresh towels first half and then all of a sudden they disappeared on our attacking side, but stayed on their attacking side.

“So, I made sure I paid a trip to Dunelm this week and I have packed my towels, some nice Egyptian cotton ones for the weekend and I’ll be making sure they have them at the Abbey Stadium.”

While he certainly was not laughing last weekend, Evatt could afford a smile as his team got ready to travel to Cambridge – a ground at which they haven’t won a league game since 1985.

He doubts whether multi-ball will provide much benefit but believes some of the proposals put forward by ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger – including a time clock which stops when the ball is not in open play – would be good for the game.

“Look, football is a game of one per cents, really, and everyone is trying to gain an advantage some way, somehow. I would, though, like it to be a fair advantage rather than it being the dark arts of the game,” he said.

“Multi-ball isn’t the answer, having a system whereby there is a minimum amount of time the ball must be in play is the answer. Arsene Wenger has some fantastic ideas and until people get behind it, those timewasting elements will still happen.”