PHYSIO Ritson Lloyd put a positive slant on Wrexham’s 23-day ‘break’ without any competitive matches by declaring that the Reds’ injured players were delighted not to have missed any matches.
Having seen the last five matches postponed because of frozen pitches, Wrexham last played when they were beaten at Altrincham in the FA Trophy on December 15.
It means Wrexham, who have five games in hand on some teams in the Blue Square Premier, will have a fixture backlog to contend with in the second half of the campaign because of the cold snap.
But Lloyd acknowledged it was good news for injured trio Sam Williamson, Frank Sinclair and Marc Williams who have not missed any matches since the middle of December because of Wrexham’s inactivity.
“It is frustrating for the club to have so many games postponed, but from the injury side of things it has given us some time to get everyone fit, and back to a full-strength squad,” said Lloyd.
“It has worked out a treat for me. We are desperate for games but it is a double edged sword.
“All the injured lads have got a spring in their step. It is to their advantage there being no games.
“They are footballers, want to be playing games and not stuck in the treatment room.
But they have not missed any games and are coming back fit and strong now.
“You have to take the positives out of a bad situation.”
While those available for selection had some days off over the busy festive period, it has been a different story for the injured players who have regularly reported for treatment and rehabilitation work.
And Lloyd, the successor to long-standing physio Mel Pejic who left the club in August, has just got on with the process of helping players recover from injury.
“I have just got down to the nitty gritty with the injured lads, working hard with them every day,” said Lloyd.
“They have worked right through with no break. When the fit players have had a day off from training, they have been in a minimum of twice a day.
“It is a long old slog being injured - but they haven’t missed any games.
“It has been busy, they have all been in the treatment room over Christmas so you just get your head down.
“You have to keep everyone motivated through a difficult period.”
Lloyd accepted that it has been a difficult time for Wrexham’s fit players - as well as the management staff - who are eager to return to action.
With games falling victim to the weather, the players have found themselves spending more time on the training ground pitches at Colliers Park.
“It is frustrating for the players as they are desperate to play,” said Lloyd. “They have trained all over Christmas and the new year, they are fit and raring to go. They are itching for a game.”
Manager Dean Saunders may be disappointed Wrexham have been left kicking their heels for more than three weeks but he will be pleased that Williamson (abdominal problem), Sinclair (calf) and Williams (ankle ligaments) are all due to report back to full training within the next week.
And although the trio would almost certainly have missed all five of Wrexham’s postponed fixtures, Lloyd believes experienced centre-back Sinclair could have been available for Tuesday’s trip to AFC Wimbledon, the most recent game to be called-off.
“They are all coming back together and Frank would have been the closest to playing,” said Lloyd. “Frank would possibly have been available for Tuesday’s game.
“He is ready now and will be back in training by the end of this week.
“We are hoping Sam will also be training by the end of the week, while we are aiming for next week with Marc.
“Marc has upped his fitness work now and is moving forward on to the football drills this week.”
The trio have been joined on the sidelines by Neil Taylor, although the left-back’s injury is not serious.
“Neil had a foot strain and would have been there or thereabouts,” added Lloyd.
“The frozen floor has aggravated it a little bit but he will be training next week.”
Saunders had hoped his fit players would get some taste of match action yesterday but the proposed friendly at Witton Albion fell victim to the heavy snowfall.
And the snow also meant yesterday’s planned training session on the astro turf at Colliers Park was shelved.
Wrexham do have a free date this weekend and the next scheduled match is on Tuesday when they make the trip to Gateshead.
But that game would have to be re-arranged if Gateshead’s FA Trophy tie against Southern League outfit Chippenham Town does not go ahead on Saturday, and the fixture is already in doubt.
Wrexham are then scheduled to play Blue Square Premier leaders Stevenage Borough at The Racecourse on Saturday January 16.
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Striker Simon Brown will be returning to Wrexham after completing a two month loan spell at Tamworth.