Phil Parkinson has revealed how Altrincham’s players are being put through their paces on a regular basis in case the remnants of the Vanarama National League North campaign can still be salvaged.
With the league recently announcing an indefinite suspension of this season’s fixture schedule, and little to suggest it may be lifted any time soon, the prospects of Alty being able to press home their promotion claims appear bleak.
But that hasn’t stopped Parkinson insisting his squad remain in peak condition, so they can resume their quest for a play-off place, at least, at a moment’s notice.
"The players have probably done more running in the last few weeks than they have ever done,’ said the Alty manager. "We are all observing social distancing, of course, and it seems a lifetime ago since I was last at the ground.
"It’s so tough for everyone at the moment, and there is so much uncertainty that you can’t predict what might happen next or how long this is going to last, but we are all professional enough to know we have to be ready to go again whenever called upon.
"The medical team, coaching staff, myself and everyone in the background are working really hard to ensure the players are maintaining fitness levels. We are probably monitoring it more than ever, because that’s all we can do at the moment.
"We have been sending them running apps and personal programmes, and we’ve been scrutinising everything they have been doing, going through all the split times they’ve sent back and stuff like that.
"There’s the mental side of it as well, because it’s difficult being in isolation. It’s good to have something to focus on, so we have a quiz within the group and there’s constant communication, making sure no-one is left out.
"When you look at the form table, we were right up there when the programme came to a halt. Who knows when it might start again, but we are doing all we can to be ready whenever that might be."
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