Gainsborough Trinity putting in extra training to return with an edge

Lockdown has seen the Holy Blues squad given time to overcome their injury woes, while manager Curtis Woodhouse has put the squad through a rigorous training regime to ensure they're on top of their game.

And he has also been busy looking to bolster his options, with three new signings set to be announced as soon as the paperwork is completed.

"Everyone's excited to get back. You don't really realise how much football has a positive impact on your life until it's taken away," Woodhouse said.

"We can't wait to get back. It's crazy, we ended the second lockdown in such a depleted fashion and now it looks like when we go back we'll have a fully fit squad.

"I'm also hoping for three new faces through the door as well."

If Trinity have an edge to their game when they return then it will be down to the hard work of Woodhouse and his players, who have been putting in extra shifts.

The manager explained: "They've been on quite a tough programme to be honest.

"I've had the strength and conditioning coach from my gym putting them through Zoom classes and they've been doing two runs a week.

"They've actually been training four days a week, which is double what they normally have when we train Tuesday-Thursday.

"But they've been training Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

"Hopefully, they'll come back in as good a shape as possible. Everyone can't wait to get going again."

Trinity are scheduled to return to action on December 12, hosting FC United of Manchester.

The Northern Premier league is currently in dialogue with clubs about restarting the campaign as 45 of the 61 members have been placed in tier three, meaning they are currently unable to operate with fans in attendance which could cause financial strains.

But concentrating on the football side of things, Woodhouse hopes his re-energised side will be able to return and begin pushing up the table.

He said: "I was so happy to be 10th in the table and three points off the play-offs.

"We've been decimated by injuries. We're in a fantastic position.”