FC Halifax Town: “We’re looking forward to coming back into work” says Wild ahead of Wealdstone clash

The Shaymen will return to training on Sunday ahead of their first game in 17 days next week.

Wild says striker Matty Stenson and midfielder Reuben Noble-Lazarus will both be in contention to make their debuts in the match.

“We should have a full compliment when we come back and I should have a full group to pick from, which is nice,” said the Town boss.

“It’s really pleasing, really exciting, and now hopefully we can start converting all these chances we’re getting.”

The Wealdstone game was originally scheduled for last Saturday, but had to be postponed after a Covid-19 outbreak among the squad.

“We’ve done a lot of planning and done a few team meetings over Zoom, making sure everybody’s alright and staying fit and healthy as much as they can,” said Wild.

“One thing it has given us is the answer to why so many people were off the mark at South Shields.

“That’s not an excuse, we weren’t good enough on the day, but when you come away from there, we’d been so good in the first five games, and then to be so bad in that game, you wonder what’s gone on, or what’s caused it.

“But speaking to the players that have contracted the virus and how they felt, it answers a lot of questions for me.

“It doesn’t make me feel as bad as the days after I game.”

Wild did not reveal how many players had caught the virus, but said: “You call a game off if you’ve got less than 14 players fit, and we have a squad of 21.

“Believe me, there was a lot more than that, so the answer’s there for you.

“We’ve had a few that have been a bit ropey with it, and it’s hit them, but there’s a few that have been asymptomatic and not really felt anything.”

When asked whether there might be any hangover from the effects of Covid on the players who caught it, Wild said: “I hope not, I hope the lads can deal with the situation and get back.

“Hopefully we’ve had enough time off that it’s out of everybody’s systems and we can push on.”

Town played six games in October, and face another half-a-dozen in 19 days this month.

“All eyes turn to Wealdstone on Tuesday night, we’ve got a busy month now and we’re looking forward to coming back into work on Sunday and preparing for that,” he said.

“We’re going to have to manage the squad and rotate it.

“I’ve said to the players this week that whatever part they get asked to play in the next month, you’ve got to do it to the best of your ability because we’re going to need you all fit, firing and ready.

“It’s another thing that you have to juggle around, it’s not just as easy as coaching them and getting them out there.

“There’s all these things that have to be considered.

“The last 18 months has been a steep learning curve in management for me, mostly off-the-pitch than on it.”

Only leaders Torquay have scored more goals than Wealdstone, who are eighth, although they have conceded more than they have scored.

“I’ve been watching their last few games and they’re a good side, they score a lot of goals but they concede a lot of goals,” said Wild.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re defensively sound and that, when they present us with the chances, we’ve got to take them.”