INTERVIEW: It's like two new signings

It goes without saying that the ideal situation this weekend would have been for us to have a game, but one of the positives to come from the gap in the calendar is that it gives some of those returning from injury a chance to take a few more steps towards a return to the action.

Speaking this afternoon, assistant manager Gav Skelton said: “Some of the longer-term injuries are what they are.

“It’s frustrating for the likes of Strets and Jack Ellis, who will both be a few weeks, and obviously Taylor and Edmo didn’t get great news.

“I haven’t got the information yet on where they are in terms of treatment and specialists, but it’s fair to say neither will be ready for the Newport game.”

“We feel for Jack Ellis and Taylor Charters because it’s great to see two local lads come through, as they have, and they really worked hard and stayed patient to do it,” he continued. “Hopefully they’ll both come back stronger for it, even though Taylor will be longer than Jack - we’re hoping to see him in three or four weeks.”

On those a little bit closer, he told us: “It’s been a good week for Omari, we’ve been increasing the work for him, and I know he wants to be back out there.

“We’ve seen what he brings out wide and up front and there are probably occasions this season when we’ve missed that. He creates and scores goals and you want that in any team.

“Ben Barclay has started some light training this week and he’ll build up after having some really bad luck. Newport might be too early, we’ll see, but he’ll be determined to get going again as soon as he can.

“He’s a good player so we’re looking forward to getting him back. When you’ve been without players for long periods as we have with those two, it’s like two new signings, to be honest, and I’m sure they’ll treat it the same way.

“Hopefully we can get them fully fit for the remainder of the season and they can have a real impact.”

“Nobody is hiding away from the fact that our injury situation has been very frustrating,” he concluded. “But I actually think we’ve coped really well with it.

“Again, it is what it is and whatever comes it’s an opportunity for someone else as we all work hard to keep things moving on.”

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