Manager Jim Bentley takes a break from AFC Fylde to undergo heart surgery

The Coasters boss entered a period of self-isolation after yesterday's FA Cup win over Altrincham and is due to undergo his operation on Tuesday, November 3.

Assistant manager Nick Chadwick will take charge of the side for the first time in Wednesday's National League North game against Kettering Town at Mill Farm, though Bentley plans to remain involved from home this week.

Fylde announced in July that the Liverpudlian, 44, requires surgery to remedy a blocked artery.

Bentley's side have won all five games since their season began on October 3, three of them in FA Cup qualifiers to earn a place in this evening's first round draw.

Bentley told the club website: “I’ve known about the operation for a long time and I’ll go into a period of self-isolation now. I’ve got a couple of tests coming up and then I’ll have the operation at the start of November.

“Chaddy had big boots to fill in Kenny McKenna, who had been my right-hand man for years, so I’ve been really fortunate that Chaddy’s come in and been superb. I’ve got full trust in him and all the staff who will support him.

“I will always be at the end of the phone and watching the games during my recovery via the stream.

"I’ll still be speaking to the players on the phone and dropping them texts here and there to check in on performances and training etc.

“It’s important now that I recover right and do what I need to do. I have to stay away now but there’s no better time to bow out than after five wins out five, so hopefully that continues.

“The players have been great since they’ve come back. The staff have been superb too. I’ve just had a chat with them all in the changing room about what will be expected of them.

"We’ve got some good experienced pros in Nathan Pond, Chris Neal, David Perkins, Danny Philliskirk and Alex Whitmore, so we will have to lean on them. I’ll get my situation sorted and hopefully come back fitter than ever.”

It is almost exactly a year since Bentley was appointed Fylde boss, ending his 17-year association with League Two Morecambe as a player and (from 2011) as manager.

He remains convinced the Coasters would have avoided relegation had last season not been curtailed by the pandemic, with the final National League table determined by points-per-game averages.

A club statement reads: "Everybody associated with the football club would like to wish Jim all the best with his operation and a speedy recovery."