Midfielders Josh Sims and James Plant have both been back in full training for Yeovil Town ahead of the visit of high-flying Forest Green Rovers to Huish Park this weekend.
The pair have both missed the last two games through injury, but manager Billy Rowley confirmed they had both trained all week and would be available to face Robbie Savage’s side.
He also confirmed forgotten man midfielder Jacob Maddox, who was signed from Forest Green Rovers by former boss Mark Cooper almost a year ago, would be back in full training next week having not featured since February due to injury.
Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah on Thursday, Rowley said: “I think (Alex Whittle) is the only one who has not trained this week, so we are in a decent and we are happy with where we are at squad-wise. I have said a couple of times we may look to add one or two here and there but that is not something I am actively looking at.
“Whitts will be available over the Christmas period, I imagine he will go out on the pitch and do some bits on Saturday and will be back in full training and available next week.”
Forest Green Rovers arrive in Somerset for an evening kick-off in second place in the National League Premier Division, tied on 46 points with leaders Rochdale and third-placed Carlisle United albeit with Rochdale having played three games fewer.
Managed by former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage, the Gloucestershire outfit have spent big again this season as they look to return to the Football League and Rowley is under no illusions that it will be his toughest test since arriving in the Huish Park hot-seat.
He said: “They are obviously a very good team with some serious talent in their roster. We have watched them all week and seen a lot of their work and it is something we are trying to focus on. We want to be respectful of the qualities of our opposition, but we also want to try and imprint our style on the game, so it is about trying to find that balance at the moment.
“They are a good side and have some serious talent, so we are going to have to defend well for spells but we also want to look at trying to cause them some problems in their half as well. Sometimes you can be too respectful of your opponents and sometimes in the week building up to a game, you end up talking too much about the opposition. They are a great team and Robbie (Savage) has done a great job and they are right up there for a reason, but we want to be focusing on how we can hurt them and score some goals and excite our fans.”
Loan signing midfielder Josh Tobin made the perfect start to life in green-and-white coming off the bench in last weekend’s FA Trophy third round win over Maidstone United at Huish Park last weekend. The Bromley player, who signed until the end of the season ahead of the match, came off the bench to score an 89th minute goal on his debut.
Rowley said: “He is a great character and it is just like him to come in and slot straight in with the boys from a personality perspective and I had no doubt he could step up to the level. He has been through a few injuries this season with hamstrings and tendonitis in his knee, but he seems fine and he’s trained brilliantly. It might take him two or three weeks up to speed, but his talent is obvious.”
But, the Glovers have lost the services of Watford loanee Leo Ramirez-Espain who impressed against Maidstone, but was recalled by his parent club. The manager admitted the decision was a surprise to him despite that appearance being the only minutes he had got since joining.
Rowley said: “It was a little bit of a surprise. I had some good chats with Leo last week and he is a great lad, he always trained well, it was just difficult to get him in. I felt Maidstone was a good chance to bed him in and he did really well, he was composed and helped us build up the pitch and then out of the blue he was called back. We wish Leo well, we have some cover in that position with Josh (Tobin), so the timing was good for us.“