Those talks have yet to bear fruit, but McKibbin may be gambling that a resolution could be reached soon which would extend his playing options beyond the breakaway tour.

The question is whether the fruits of long-term growth will come through quickly enough.

"We've worked with everything from soft fruit to salad greens, clearing beds and keeping crops out of the compost heap," said Holtam.

For £8.50 she gets three bags: fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen food and cupboard staples.

The forearms are designed to pick up sticks and pull fruit off of trees, not to tap a keyboard for eight hours straight.