FC Halifax Town: Hotte ruled out for two weeks with groin injury

The former North Ferriby and Bradford Park Avenue man played at centre-back in the 1-1 draw at Stockport on Tuesday, a performance which drew praise from Halifax boss Billy Heath.

“You don’t want to be going to Stockport with one fit centre-half, but Nathan Hotte was magnificent,” he said.

“He’s done that job for me before but he’s a central-midfielder.

“He doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he breaks things up and he’s combative. He’s not one to go playing 40 or 50 yard passes about, but he did a sterling job there.”

Heath is happy with his team’s start to the campaign, but feels his side are ready for their midweek break next week.

“I’m pleased with how it’s going,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to not having a midweek game next week.

“It’s been a tough first month, but if we can get players through Saturday they’ll have a full week to recover.

“We’ve had a great start.

“Tamworth lost on Tuesday but they’ll be looking to get back on track.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on our own game and make sure we’re at it.”

No team has a 100 per cent record in the Conference North, and Heath feels that hints at the competitive nature of the division.

“There are a lot of teams pushing for that one goal this season,” he added.

“Last season there were six or eight teams that had a chance of winning the league.

“But now there’s about 12 - that’s how competitive it is.

“It’s a great league to be in this season and it’s going to be interesting throughout the season.”

Read more from the Halifax boss in Friday’s Courier.