Injury update

With pre-season well underway, various members of the squad have unfortunately picked up knocks or are still recovering from long-term setbacks.

As part and parcel of the game, some players have therefore missed training or matches due to those injuries, and we have the latest on the small group of absentees.

Goalkeeper Alex Mitchell has struggled with a groin strain but is expected to return to training next week and will focus on strengthening work after a period of rest to avoid aggravating the injury.

Owen Bell is currently nursing an ankle knock and worked with physio Ronan Irving at training last night, focussing on the injury.

Likely to miss Saturday’s match at Holker Street against Barrow, the midfielder could be available for next Tuesday’s trip to Frenchfield Park to face Penrith.

Charley Bowman and Nathan Waterston have both sporadically featured in the two friendlies so far following struggles that stretch back to earlier in the summer, and are closing in on full fitness as August approaches.

The pair were given fitness plans by Irving prior to the beginning of pre-season training.

Irving has been keeping a close eye on fitness during the gruelling sessions and friendly games, and had this to say on pre-season:

I think intensity-wise it’s been really good. It’s just, obviously, making sure it’s all fit for what [the players] need.

Especially with the injured lads, they need to be coming back physically strong because you lose quite a lot of fitness when you’re injured – even a week off can be quite bad.

Ronan Irving

Nevertheless, manager Danny Grainger will still have plenty of matches to assess the squad between now and the Northern Premier League opener against Pickering Town on Saturday August 17.