No day off for Reds
Reds have no fixture on Saturday due to Macclesfield’s continued progress in the FA Trophy.
But, whilst the NPL West leaders host Bamber Bridge in a Third Qualifying Round tie at the Leasing.com Stadium, Reds will be fitting in another training session at Newton Rigg.
Manager Danny Grainger has been pleased with the effort produced in both training sessions this week despite the lack of a game to focus on.
“Sometimes the motivation isn’t there if there is no match to prepare for but the attitude of the squad this week has been superb and they have worked hard as a group in our two get-togethers,” he said after Thursday evening’s session in the pouring rain.
He added, “We will have an in-house game on Saturday before stepping up the work rate next Tuesday and Thursday ahead of the Runcorn Linnets fixture,”
Physiotherapist, Ronan Irving had to keep an eye on some of the players nursing slight knocks from last Saturday, Scott Allison, Sam Smith and Jim Atkinson were watching from the side-lines, whilst Greg McCaragher is expected to resume training next week.
The physio supervised some gentle running, turning and ball work for Robbie Hebson and Bobby Carroll with both moving freely in the drills they carried out.
Irving was optimistic when asked about the absentees’ progress but was less so about Ben Hughes (back injury) with the midfielder not yet ready to return to training. With three players missing because of work commitments, the fifteen-man main group was supplemented by two members of the Development Squad, Cain Pears and Lewis Moore, and Grainger was impressed with the contribution of both teenagers.
