Simon Wiles: Minutes matter for Fleetwood players in Trophy tie at Hull City

Simon Wiles says he will use his first match as Fleetwood Town's interim boss to give players some valuable game time this evening.
Fleetwood Town have not played since Boxing DayFleetwood Town have not played since Boxing Day
Fleetwood Town have not played since Boxing Day
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Simon Wiles ready for first game in charge after 'amazing' week at Fleetwood Tow...

Town face Hull City for the third time this season tonight, when the sides meet in the third round of the Papa John's Trophy in a 5.30pm kick-off at the KCOM Stadium.

Wiles has been able to conduct only two training sessions since stepping up from his role as academy boss because his squad spent last week in self-isolation after positive coronavirus tests.

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Town has seen three matches postponed for Covid-related reasons since they last played at Crewe Alexandra on Boxing Day.

And 18 days on from their last game, Wiles feels it’s important to get minutes back into the players’ legs, especially before the big League One home clash with Portsmouth on Saturday.

He said: “With the players having had time away and sticking to the physical work they’ve been doing during the isolation, it’s important.

“I’ve had two days with them. I’ve probably only had two and a half hours with them on the grass. I think it’s important that we try to get minutes out of the squad that we have available.

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“I feel this game is coming at a good time because I would have hated the players to have been going into the game at Portsmouth on Saturday without any contact.

“We will be taking the squad with us (to Hull). It’s important that we manage the minutes and, first and foremost, we need to make sure we come through that well. It just pieces together nicely after that.”

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