AFC Fylde manager steps up his involvement with the Coasters
Jim Bentley is having an input into team selection as the AFC Fylde manager gradually steps up his involvement after heart surgery.
The Coasters boss told The Gazette at Christmas that he is now in regular contact with deputy Nick Chadwick and the players, but would continue his recuperation at home until he feels ready to begin a phased return to Mill Farm.
Chadwick says the manager is already playing an active role in planning and selection.
He explained: “We speak every day, bounce ideas off each other and discuss a whole host of things.
“He’s getting stronger every day. He’s having walks and he’s out and about but he is being sensible.
“With the pandemic he is looking after his health and taking no risks, but there is no doubt he’s missing being here.”
The pair wouldn’t have been short of selection issues to discuss ahead of today’s postponed home clash with bottom club Blyth Spartans in National League North.
They had every outfield player available for selection, with Nick Haughton and latest signing Sam Osborne among those pressing for places in the starting line-up.
Both came off the bench in last weekend’s 2-0 win at AFC Telford United, though Osborne only appeared for the closing moments after his move from Leamington was announced that morning.
Chadwick said: “That was as much as we could expect from Sam last weekend, after he’d done a lot of driving and only got the deal done with a minute to spare on the Friday.
“He seems level-headed and has looked good this week. We’ve brought him in to make an impact and get more goals for us. Sam is a really good option and gives us a selection question.
“We’ve already seen that Nick is quality. His hamstring injury was a blow to us but he has worked so hard with the physio, so credit to him and the support staff.
“It was massive to get him back on the pitch after only one week in training and he had a big hand in the second goal.
“And we’ve extended Nathan Shaw’s loan from Blackpool for the rest of the season, so we have great competition in the attacking midfield and wider areas.”
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