PRESTATYN Town manager Ryan Turner is concerned for the welfare of his players if they do not get the right sort of training before the JD Cymru North begins.

The defending champions and other teams across the league were handed another blow with the Welsh Government extending Tier 4 measures for a further three weeks, putting the proposed start date of March 20 in some doubt considering the timescale involved.

Turner is concerned that if players do not get a prolonged period to prepare for competitive fixtures after a year, then it could lead to more injuries that is exasperated by a gruelling schedule to get the season started and finished in just two months.

He said: “Our understanding is that for us to just to be able to train under the Elite Status umbrella that all our players would need to be placed on contracts including staff as Bastion Gardens would be classed as a place of work for travel and training purposes. In the current financial climate, this is just not viable for clubs in our position.

“Firstly, we understand that everyone’s health and safety have to come first. But with the planned schedule already so tight in terms of playing three games a week in a short space of time added to the players work commitments it’s so important that we have the time to train and play friendlies to allow the players to get some sharpness and to get as close to match fitness as possible.

“I personally don’t want the scenario where we kick-off as planned without training. This could lead to some serious injuries to players.”

Turner added that the priority should be to get youth football back underway considering the long-term implications surrounding children’s physical and mental wellbeing, with frustrations clearly building within members of the first-team squad who are eager to take the pitch once again after so much upheaval.

“Another failed start would not just impact on the senior game but would have big implications within academy football for the kids in Wales,” said Turner.

“I think for the academies to be given the go-ahead then the senior games would need to start first. We have planned to extend our academy season until June so that the kids if given the go-ahead will be able to at least train which is so important for their well-being and development.

“The lads are still in good spirits, but they just want to play football and are a little frustrated. We were hoping to be back on the training ground this week but without the go-ahead the lads will be sticking to their individual training.”