Top scorer Joe Quigley is back in training with Yeovil Town as they head in to a busy festive fixture schedule.
The six-goal striker has not featured since picking up a knee injury in the 1-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge a little over a month ago but returned to training this week.
Assistant manager Terry Skiverton, who was deputising on media duties on Thursday in place of boss Darren Sarll who had a bereavement in the family, said the defender Mark Little was always “progressing well” having returned after a long lay-off.
Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Torquay United, he said: “We have had a few back in training and it’s been good having Mark Little back on the training ground.
“Joe is doing little bits and pieces, Reuben is getting stronger with every game and training session, so it’s looking good.
“So, we’ve had a 7v7 and an 8v8 rather than a five-a-side in training which has been nice.”
He added: “The squad is getting stronger at the right time, so for us it is important we look to get results in these games.
“Recent results and performances means everyone wants to get in the team.”
Skivo was also asked about facing his old manager Gary Johnson twice over the Christmas period, the current situation with COVID-19 and off-the-pitch takeover rumours, here’s what the assistant had to say:
- Skivo is backing his old manager, Gary Johnson, to “spike” his Torquay United side after going out of the FA Trophy at Tonbridge Angels last weekend.
He said: “They were on a good run of results, especially the 2-1 win at home to Stockport and they beat Weymouth.
“I watched their game against Tonbridge and I know that when Gary is on the back of a disappointing result, he will spike them that next week.“ - He recalled the 2-0 win at Plainmoor in January 2020 and also the 6-1 defeat there last Boxing Day, but said neither result would have any bearing on this weekend, adding: “That was then, but we have a totally different team now and Gary has four or five new faces of his own.“
- The assistant said that there have been no cases of COVID-19 in the Glovers’ camp and praised the work of the club’s COVID officer for the virus not yet affecting preparations despite a large number of other clubs suffering from it.
Asked about the possibility of games being played behind-closed-doors, he said: “Football without crowds is not the same. It took us a year to get back and celebrate with the supporters, because we have a special bond with them.
“We missed that during that period and hopefully we don’t have to miss that again, but it’s there to save lives and stop the spread of this virus we have to do what the Government says. We will adapt and overcome but it will be a backwards step if we do.“ - On talks of a takeover of the club almost two weeks after a deadline to complete a deal set by chairman Scott Priestnall passed, Skivo unsurprisingly could not offer any new information.
He said: “Until something happens, that is something me, the manager and the players can’t control, all we can control is making sure we get three points.
“Everything else, if it happens, it happens and we just work accordingly.“