Christopher Long is ‘raring to go’ after getting another 45 minutes under his belt on Monday.

That’s according to Manager Lee Bell, who says the striker has shown an excellent attitude towards getting back in action.

Long has been missing since early February due to a thigh injury, but came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon last weekend.

And he played half of the 2-1 Cheshire Senior Cup win over Congleton Town on Monday, at his own request.

Bell said: “There was no plan to involve him on Monday, but my phone was going on Sunday non-stop and he was telling me he was desperate to get some minutes into his legs.

“We thought it was a good opportunity to allow him to play 45 minutes – but we was under orders to stay as far away from everybody else on that pitch as possible!

“He was brilliant with our younger players – they were getting some verbals and he stuck up for them – so it was good to have someone of that experience on the pitch.

“He is raring to go now but we will still manage his minutes.”

Meanwhile, Bell provided updates on Courtney Baker-Richardson (shoulder), Matus Holicek (ankle) and Joel Tabiner (thigh).

He added: “Courtney is moving along nicely and if you ask him, he’ll say he’s ready for next week. But we might have to calm him down a bit - we’ll see.

“Matus will be somewhere near for Monday (against Forest Green Rovers) and Joel Tabiner maybe the week after.”

Jack Powell (knee), Luke Offord (ankle) and Owen Lunt (back) remain sidelined.