Gloucester City’s man of the hour Matt McClure opened up about his ongoing back injury, and explained how there was a chance he could have missed the rest of the season.
McClure, who has been on target in both his last two appearances, said: “I had a little bit of a set back after the injection, but we’ve got to manage it and listen to the experts and tone down training a bit.
“I’ll do alternative training where I can on the bike or in the pool, other than that it feels good at the moment but that is because we are managing it and I’m not pounding it for 90 minutes every day.
“It’s frustrating, but it’s better than not playing in any part of the season which was the other option.”
McClure will be available for selection this weekend as City host high-flying A.F.C. Fylde, however he and boss Lee Mansell both explained how it is important to be patient.
Both the Tigers and Fylde will have reason to believe they can take all three points, with both sides having only lost once since the beginning of February.
Fylde will be led by a familiar face to Gloucester City fans, as James Rowe takes charge of his fifth game at the helm, 16 months after his hasty departure from New Meadow Park.
While the visitors are backed by an impressive league position, they have shown that there are vulnerabilities having dropped points to the likes of Telford United and Curzon Ashton recently.
Speaking ahead of the game, Mansell said: “The mindset doesn’t change, it doesn’t matter if its Gateshead, Brackley or Farsley, we approach every game the same and that is to win them.”
New Meadow Park will be hoping to welcome more supporters than usual, as Non-League day takes place this Saturday, with the weather also set to play its part.
“We’ve had too many draws here, we need to start turning the draws into wins and we would love for that to be this weekend, and to be backed by a good support would be fantastic.” Continued Mansell.
City have had an abundance of bad luck with injuries this season, with Fabien Robert (Hamstring) and Ben Nugent (Knee) the most recent casualties. However, there have been positives in Jack James returning after seven months out.
James said: “It was a really nice feeling, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster really but I’m buzzing to be back out there helping the team, hopefully on a weekly basis.
“The gaffer has given me a lot of support with my injury, it’s obviously harder for me and him as he’s not seen me play as much.”
The Maltese right-back made his first appearance in front of the home crowd during Tuesdays 3-3 draw with Chester to help City find the equaliser, and he’ll be hoping for more moments like that for the remainder of the season.
Gloucester City form (18th) – DWLWD
AFC Fylde form (3rd) – WWDWW
Predicted XI (4-3-3) – Armstrong; Hall, Martinez, Harrison, Thompson; Dawson, Barkers, O’Sullivan; Tomlinson, Hulbert, King