Interview | Spartans to resume training on Tuesday

Michael Nelson says Blyth Spartans will return to training on Tuesday ahead of the season opener at Whitley Bay.

Spartans travel to Hillheads next Saturday in the Second Round Qualifying before facing Guiseley in National League North, three days later.

Blyth players, staff and officials have been in self-isolation since last Friday after a person tested positive for coronavirus - bringing a premature end to the club's four-game pre-season.

The initial understanding was the self-isolation period had to last until Friday, October 2, however government guidelines state Blyth can indeed resume training from Tuesday (September 29).

The news is welcomed by boss Nelson as he prepares his players for the short trip to Bay and the league opener in West Yorkshire.

He said: "It's stopped us from playing games, which would have been very beneficial to get us ready for the start date but thankfully we'll be able to have a few training sessions before we start the season.

"It's just one of those things we have to cope with. I think we did the right thing by isolating everyone from that one positive test.

"Otherwise, we ran the possibility of having another positive test later in the week, which would have meant we've gone into isolation beyond the start of the season and forfeit the FA Cup game."

Meanwhile, former Sunderland under-21s captain Liam Agnew became Nelson's newest recruit on Thursday after departing League Two side Harrogate Town.

It's a somewhat marquee signing for Blyth - but the former Hartlepool United defender has revealed his recruitment isn't finished yet.

He added: "We're still looking. I've got another key position I want to fill then in and around that once we get that done.

"I've got a couple of irons in the fire in terms of players who can fill in and around the squad and one key position I need.

"I've identified a couple of players who could fill that key position but I'm waiting.

"It's going to be a bit of a waiting game but we're happy that we are there or thereabouts with the squad as a whole."