Pre-season campaign starting to take its toll on Leamington

Already without the services of Richard Batchelor and Martyn Naylor, Holleran saw Josh Green, Craig Owen and Lee Chilton pick up niggles in the 0-0 draw at Evesham on Tuesday night.

Fears Batchelor had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament appear to have been allayed after the midfielder had an MRI scan on the knee injury he picked up at Stratford.

However, Batchelor still faces two months on the sidelines, while Paul McCone is also set to miss the remainder of pre-season after having his appendix removed yesterday (Thursday).

And while Holleran admitted the setbacks are part and parcel of the return to action, he felt his players were not helped by conditions at the Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium, with the decision to charge fans £9 also leaving a sour taste.

“We try to put together friendlies we feel the supporters and players will enjoy,” said Holleran.

“We’re quite a big pull as a club but I’m not having the fans taken advantage of.

“It’s a nice set-up at Evesham but the playing surface was well below where it needs to be.

“We’ve picked up a few injuries, plus they’ve made a poor decision to charge supporters a very high price for pre-season.”

While he admitted the performance was some way below the standard set in their opening three friendlies, Holleran did take some comfort from extended game time for three key players.

“I’ve been pleased with the way it has gone so far.

“It wasn’t as polished but it still served a purpose, with us able to get Matty Dodd, Stefan Moore and Alex Taylor back on the pitch.

“However, with the niggles we’ve got, it will be good to have a free week next week.”

After Brakes’ visit to Butlin Road this evening (7pm), they do not return to action until Saturday August 3 when they entertain Nuneaton Town (3pm).