Fit and Firing

Victory at Shrewsbury last Saturday; winning the Devon Challenge Cup in midweek; and selling more than 14,000 tickets inside three and half days for the two legs of their Sky Bet League 2 play-off semi-final against Wycombe Wanderers.

Now the news that the 33-goal strike-force of Reuben Reid and Lewi Alessandra, absent from the 2-0 win at the Greenhous Meadow on the final weekend of the league season, will be back in harness for the post-season. If required.

Indeed, with the exception of the long-term injured Deane Smalley and Matt Lecointe, manager John Sheridan has a full squad from which to select his starting 11 for Saturday evening’s Home Park first leg against the Chairboys.

“Everyone’s okay,” he said after Reuben, Lewi and midfielder Lee Cox came through a tough Thursday training session.

“I know what my team is. The good thing about last week was that one or two players came in and did really well; the subs came on and did really well. It’s not about the 11 that are going to start – it’s about the 18 and even a couple who are not going to be in the 18; it’s about my squad.

“Over the next, hopefully three, games, one or two might be involved more than they think, so it’s important I keep them right. I was pleased with the way the lads who came into the team and the lads who came on last week responded.”

John has tried to keep things at Home Park this week very much business as usual, and has been helped by his coaching staff, including the club’s Performance Manager.  

“John Harbin’s done well with the players – he knows how to look after them,” said John. “The most important thing is keeping everyone fit – everything’s short, sharp. If we weren’t involved in the play-offs, a lot of them would be sorting their holidays out. It is important we tick over and get prepared for the game.”