TERRY Skiverton brings his Yeovil Town squad to Devon this week in search of at least two games of meaningful match practice – and a week of training and team-bonding.

The Glovers are taking part in the Errea South West Challenge club, in which they will take on the multi-national side from Belgian outfit Royal Racing Montegnee at Appledore tonight (6pm) and then Coca-Cola League Two club Grimsby Town at Torrington on Friday (7pm).

It could be a busy end to the week for the Somerset side, if they qualify for the semi-finals on Saturday and then the final at Bideford on Sunday. Yeovil's manager is determined to take the tournament seriously, and to gain maximum benefit from the week's work.

"It [the South West Challenge Cup] is important for the progress we've made," Skiverton told the Western Gazette. "We'll have had two weeks of training leading up to it, and we've got at least two decent games with decent facilities."

After their stay in Devon, the League One club will take their squad back to base to prepare for the friendly against Championship side Derby County at Huish Park tomorrow week. "We'll be using it for the players to get acclimatised and for them to get involved in match situations leading up to the Derby game," Skiverton added. "It's vitally important that we go there and get something out of the tournament. That's the most important thing for me."

Skiverton has been content with the progress made in the build-up to the start of serious business – the start of the League One campaign against John Barnes' Tranmere Rovers side at Huish Park on August 8. "It's going really well," the Town boss said. "Training has been really good, and everyone has been taking on board what we are saying.

"I'm really pleased with the attitude of the players, and the hard work. What we did not want to do was to go and make it too technical without doing the hard work," Skiverton added. "We've been doing the hard work in the mornings and then training in the afternoons. The players are responding to it."

New signings Scott Murray and Stefan Stam will be part of Yeovil's squad, along with Danny Hutchins, who rejoined the Glovers in a full transfer this summer after being borrowed from Tottenham Hotspur last term. There is speculation that another Spurs youngster could be on his way to Huish Park this month.

Ryan Mason, who can play as an attacking midfielder or as a striker, is rumoured to a loan-transfer target for the Glovers. The England Youth international scored 29 goals in 31 appearances for Spurs' Under-18 side last season.

It remains to be seen who Yeovil will pick as their goalkeeper in their matches in Devon this week. Josh Wagenaar remains on CONCACAF Gold Cup duty in the United States with Canada, who have qualified for the quarter-finals, and – in any case – he has not yet signed the contract he has been offered for next season by the Glovers.

Former Yeovil 'keeper Darren Behcet, who was released by the Glovers in 2008 and had spells with Sutton United and Hornchurch in the non-League game last season, was training at Huish Park last week, along with a trialist custodian.

Royal Racing Montegnee, Yeovil's opponents this evening, are based in Liege. They play in Liege League One – a regional league which is one of nine divisions which occupy the fifth tier of football in Belgium. They are not a typical Belgian non-League club, however.

Their set-up is similar to what used to exist at Team Bath, the former Southern League club. They offer the chance to play competitive football and gain a college degree, and their squad has a strong British presence as well as players from Canada and the United States.

Their skipper is central defender Jonathan Wheeldon, who used to be on Torquay United's books. Former Torquay goalkeeper Martin Horsell, ex-Yeovil midfielder Jamie Gosling plus players from Canada, France and Australia are also part of their squad.

Royal Racing's players study for a business degree as well as try to win football games. Club president Paul Topping, an Englishman, said: "They come at 18 for three years. They train every day and go to school every day. We've got our own university in the club. The concept is not just to play football, but to get a business degree as well."

As for this week's tournament, Topping added: "We're very much looking forward to it. I don't think the boys know what to expect."

"We're not expecting to do anything, but it will be a great experience playing against two Football League teams, and we won't be pushovers." They play Grimsby Town at Barnstaple on Wednesday in their second Challenge Cup fixture and – unless they surprise themselves by reaching the final – they will visit Tavistock for a friendly next Sunday (2pm).