Blues are gearing up for hectic fortnight

Jonathan Redhead Lowestoft Town will need every member of their squad as they embark on a relentless, but crucial, run of fixtures. In the next 15 days, the Blues will play a remarkable eight times - seven in the league and once in the Championship Manager Cup.

Jonathan Redhead

Lowestoft Town will need every member of their squad as they embark on a relentless, but crucial, run of fixtures.

In the next 15 days, the Blues will play a remarkable eight times - seven in the league and once in the Championship Manager Cup.

The run begins with Enfield Town at home tomorrow, before away games at Concord Rangers on Tuesday, at Croydon Athletic on Thursday in the rearranged cup clash, and then Great Wakering Rovers away on Saturday.

The following week, there are games on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday once more. It's a pattern the Blues might face later in the season too, with the league set to be completed by April 24.

With players coming back from injury, and an almost fully fit squad, the Town management team of Micky Chapman, Ady Gallagher and Craig Fleming have got some big selection issues ahead - but Chapman expects his men to stand-up to the daunting fixture list.

“Every player wants to play but it's a nice position to be in for management, although there's going to be some disappointed people,” he said. “It's part and parcel of having a big squad but we've got to deal with that.

“We're getting players back from injury now. Scott Mitchell's back. Jack Marsden back and looking really sharp in training but needs games to get his match fitness back.

“Bradley Hough is now back with reserves and doing well.

“Richard Woodrow's still out. Dale Cockrill may be back this weekend, although Darren Cockrill's unavailable because of work commitments. Jamie Godbold might also be back quicker than expected too.”

The schedule facing the Blues would be more than enough to get most managers, especially those in the professional game, moaning.

But Chapman and co appear to be relishing the task as they look to build on their six point advantage at the top of the league.

“When you get four games in eight days, you're going to need a big squad, because it's no good asking just 11 players to play and start every game in a week because you can't do it,” he said.

“Physically you can't do it and you can't be at your best. The standards we set are high so we do need a big squad.”

t Lowestoft Town's remaining fixtures

Saturday - Enfield Town

Tues Mar 2 - Concord Rangers

Thurs Mar 4 - Croydon Athletic (Cup)

Sat Mar 6 - Great Wakering Rovers

Tues Mar 9 - Brentwood Town

Thurs Mar 11 - Tilbury

Sat Mar 13 - Waltham Forest

Tues Mar 16 - Maldon Town

Sat Mar 20 - VCD Athletic

Tues Mar 23 - Potters Bar Town

Sat Mar 27 - Ilford

Tues Mar 30 - Brentwood Town

Sat Apr 3 - Redbridge

Mon Apr 5 - Maldon Town

Sat Apr 10 - Cheshunt

Sat Apr 17 - Wingate & Finchley

Sat Apr 24 - Tilbury