Hawks boss Doswell: I’d be surprised if we play all our games in January

Boss Paul Doswell admitted he'll be 'surprised' if Hawks complete all nine of their scheduled matches in January.
Hawks boss Paul Doswell. Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images.Hawks boss Paul Doswell. Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images.
Hawks boss Paul Doswell. Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images.

The club were back training on Wednesday after a 10-day self-isolation period following a positive coronavirus test within the camp.

During the enforced Christmas break, Hawks were proactive - rescheduling some matches and have crammed in nine fixtures to take place over just a 29-day period next month.

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Doswell's side are set to return to National League South action on Saturday with third-placed Hungerford Town the visitors to Westleigh Park.

Although the Hawks boss conceded the 'strange' current situation means there is still uncertainty whether that will go ahead.

Doswell was without three members of his squad and the same amount of club staff at training on Wednesday. All had either returned a positive test or were forced to self-isolate.

Despite all the work the club are putting in at the ground to contain the spread of Covid-19, he is fearful of another break being enforced on his squad next month.

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'The only thing is if we can get through January and play we’ll have nearly caught up (on fixtures),' said Doswell.

‘I think if they put us into a circuit breaker we’ve then got March, April and May to fit it in, so it’s going to be tight.

‘I wouldn’t say a circuit breaker of two or three weeks would finish the season for us, but I think it’s a possibility it’s going to come.

‘As a person who’s employed to be in sport and loves sport, of course I want to continue.

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'It could be that we get another case then we’ve got to stop for 10 days.

‘I think the reality is there is going to be a two-week break either through a positive test again or the government making us do it.

'I’ll be surprised (if we get through the games in January), I’m not saying we can’t, I just don’t know.

‘It wouldn’t shock me if we only got three or four of those games in and then we’re looking at going February, March and April and everything is going to keep getting pushed back.'

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Despite increased cases being recorded across England and the new strain reportedly prominent across the south, all that could return were happy to be back training again.

Doswell revealed everyone was 'desperate' to get back out on the pitch again after a period of isolation - the club last played against Braintree in the FA Trophy on December 19.

Their last National League South game was at Ebbsfleet the previous Saturday, having to call off games against Welling, Hungerford and Dorking over the festive period to the non-playing staff member’s positive Covid test result.

The manager saluted club officials for their continual work around the ground during the pandemic.

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‘No (players or staff expressed concerns about coming back),' added Doswell.

‘I’d say everyone was desperate to come back.

‘Footballers want to play football and this has almost taken one or two years out of their careers.

‘I think we had eight cleaners in yesterday massively deep cleaning the club before we came back.

‘The club are doing everything they can. None of us know how we’re catching it, it’s not being caught at the football club.'