COLWYN Bay manager Craig Hogg is eager to see what the shortened 15-game format will bring when the season gets underway next month.

The Seagulls are hoping for good news from the Welsh Government and Football Association of Wales during the upcoming COVID-19 updates on Friday, which could see the club return to training for the first time this year.

It promises to be a gruelling schedule until then, but although it is far from ideal, Hogg is relishing the challenge of getting back to some semblance of normality.

He said: “A lot is riding on the Welsh Government’s announcement on February 19 and it could well be touch and go.

“If there’s a change in the COVID restrictions then the plan for us will be to get back in and train together at the earliest opportunity.

“Without getting ahead of ourselves, we would then hope to complete at least four training sessions and a minimum of two friendlies before our first competitive game in mid to late March.

“That isn’t ideal prep at all, and even though our players have been working hard away from the club within their individual conditioning plans, there’s no fitness like football fitness. People who play the game know that.

“With the new lads we’ve brought in, it could well be a case of learning on the job as to how we work and play.

“The limited time we have together to train as a group will be vital. The only real bonus is that nearly all clubs will be in the same boat, excluding the full-time team in our league who have trained together throughout the various lockdowns because of their professional status.”

Hogg is also eagerly anticipating the hectic 15-game schedule, which will see those looking to mount a title challenge with no room for error in their bid to reach the JD Cymru Premier next season.

“As a one-off, I actually find the 15-game format quite exciting, as it will be 15 cup finals for those teams with aspirations of winning the title,” he added.

“But the worry is the volume of games in a short period of time, particularly now having seen the proposed timetable. April and May look very demanding for example.

“If we do start, we will be doing everything we can to win games of football and enjoy it too. After the year we’ve all had, that’s something I think we must all get out of this season as well.”