Caretaker manager Andy Dawson is feeling positive and upbeat ahead of the game against Shrewsbury Town this weekend.
On Saturday, Dawson’s side travel to the New Meadow looking for a return to winning ways as they seek to climb the League One table.
Speaking to iFollow Iron previewing the fixture with the Shrews, the caretaker boss said: “We had a chat with the players on Monday morning speaking about how we could do things a little bit better, in addition to the things we did well in the Wimbledon game.
“We then spoke about how we're going to approach the match this weekend. It’s been a productive, positive week, we are ready to go and I’m looking forward to it.”
After reporting no fresh injury concerns, Dawson and the coaching staff face a selection dilemma of a good kind when it comes to choosing the team.
He stated: “The lads have demanded high standards from each other. It gives us a thought at the end of the week, looking at who’s done it right and who is willing to give everything they can for the shirt.
“It’s great for us as coaching staff when you’ve got impact players who can come on and change a game which I thought they did in the second half against Wimbledon.
"Hammy (Adam Hammill) came on at half-time and did really well. Kyle (Wootton) came on for Kev (van Veen) when he came off with his hamstring and Jordy (Hallam) then came on for George (Thomas).
“It’s great when you look around and see the lads challenging each other for the starting spots and for places on the bench too. It’s a difficult part of the managerial job when the players give everything every day, but that’s a credit to the whole squad who are pushing for places.
“Kev (van Veen) trained this week and will be okay for Saturday. There are no other injury concerns."
The caretaker manager also provided an update on the other long-term absentees and said: “There’s Lundy (Matthew Lund), Josh (Morris) and Jord (Jordan Clarke) who have been on the grass this week. It’s good to have them in and around the place. It’s still early days for them, but hopefully in a few weeks they’ll be ready for contention.
“If everything goes well, hopefully they will play some part in the rest of the season. When you’ve been out a while, you never know how you are going to react in full-time training again, but all the staff have done a great job with them and they will all have an important part to play before the end of the season.”
Goalkeeper Rory Watson has been another player on the injury list, and Dawson gave an update on his progress since undergoing further surgery to fix a broken arm sustained back in August.
He said: “Rory (Watson) has been in and around us as well. He’s been with the ‘keepers, and is a great character to have around the training ground. He’s back on the grass, but he’s probably building more towards next season.”
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