Andy Awford can add Jack Whatmough, Adam Webster, Joe Devera and Johnny Ertl to his options for the trip to Cheltenham.

Reserves chief Paul Hardyman said any of the four could feature after proving their fitness for the seconds in a win over Leyton Orient.

It is a timely boost for Awford as he decides whether to make changes after the poor showing in the 3-2 home defeat to Acrrington on Saturday.

Hardyman told The News: ‘Jack did 45 minutes on Tuesday, which puts him in contention for a place, as it does Adam Webster, Joe Devera and Johnny Ertl. It’s about getting as many players as much football time as you can, you can train all you want but actually playing a game gets you right.

‘Ahead of the Accrington game we were concerned about Jack because he is a young lad still.'

Hardyman added: ‘You cannot push these kids because you will break them, that is what we were concerned about with Jack. If we put him in last week he might be out over the Christmas period and we want everyone as fit as we can.

‘I would say he is definitely in contention now. Since then the extra rest has helped him, he has got more training under his belt, he has got more minutes like Tuesday.

‘It has done him the world of good confidence-wise as well because he knows he is ready now, so fingers crossed and touch wood he is going to get through 90 minutes for the first team when he is selected.'

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