Dodd scare – Allen had given up the ghost

The defender faces an MRI scan to determine what is the damage – if any – as a result of a freak locked knee which kept him from joining in for the return of focused training at Victoria Avenue on Thursday night.

But, regardless, he is revelling in the prospect of the Green Lions’ very imminent return.

‘It is something we didn’t foresee happening, not this soon anyway.

‘I think the majority of us thought this season was a write-off.

‘But, as with Ross [Allen], we are getting older and we aren’t going to get many more chances to play at this level, so it is really exciting and you can see by the numbers [in training] we are raring to go.’

Dodd said it had been vital for the club’s long-term future to get going again.

‘Another season out would have been unthinkable for the club and it is vital we get going again now and get the club fulfilling fixtures again.’

Allen admitted he had virtually given up the ghost (on GFC playing this season). ‘The mood around everyone was that it wasn’t going to happen,’ he said ahead of training.

‘So this is fantastic news and everyone is buzzing.

‘As an individual, I want it more now for other people, in a funny way.

‘I have been saying to myself I have had a good, long career and whatever happens now is a bonus.

‘But obviously I have still got the kid inside of me who wants to be running out at Footes Lane in front of an amazing home crowd who have missed it as much as the players have.’

The striker says the prospect of taking on an almost entirely fresh set of Isthmian opposition excited him too.

‘I think that was what I was really excited about when it was announced earlier in the year. This is a fresh start, really, especially after the pandemic and the delay. To get our teeth stuck into it adds a whole new element to this.’