PRESTATYN Town manager Ryan Turner outlined his concerns about what another delay will have on his new-look squad ahead of the JD Cymru North season.

The Seasiders’ are looking to defend their crown when the campaign gets underway and secure promotion to the top-flight, but with Sport Wales announcing that Tier 2 football was not granted ‘elite athlete’ status until the next Welsh Government announcement at the earliest, it makes things extremely difficult for those teams without professional status or contracted players in the current climate.

Turner knows how difficult it is going to be completing a shortened 15-game season in such a short space of time, which could see three games a week over a two-month period.

He said: “Our issue is that we have a new squad as a whole and not being able to train together yet has put us in a really difficult position in terms of the on-field preparation.

“Add this to the proposed three games a week and the lads' work commitments then there’s going to be a lot of rotation within the starting 11.

“On a positive note, it will give a few of the young Academy prospects an opportunity to come through and play some minutes which is important to me.”

Turner also stated that if they were a further delay to proceedings then the Football Association of Wales should cancel the 2020/21 season at the earliest possible opportunity, with the Seasiders’ boss also highlighting the possible advantage given to Bangor City and Airbus UK Broughton, who continue to train and even play friendly matches while the other teams in the league are left in limbo.

“I think if the start is further delayed then a decision needs to be made ASAP to null and void the season. Clubs can then start planning for next season on and off the field,” added Turner.

“Training and playing when others aren’t able to certainly should give the two sides in question an advantage if the season does start. But I’m not going to be critical as if we as a club were in that fortunate position then I’m sure we would have done the same.”