Alex boss says fixture demands coming up over the next week is not ideal.

Steve Davis says he will have to wrap his squad in cotton wool as they prepare for a busy period of fixtures. The Railwaymen tackle an in-form Barnsley side this weekend and then have to travel to Southend for a mid-week fixture.

The squad will be stretched to the maximum next week with the Under-21s in action on Monday against Sheffield United and then have a re-arranged fixture against Leeds United on Thursday.

March. ^thThe first team are then in action against league leaders Burton Albion on Saturday 5

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “We have a busy period coming up and with Under-21 games we have five games in a week. We have had to re-arrange the Leeds game because of our involvement in the Cheshire Cup and the weather we had to contend with.

“We also have a long trip to Southend coming up as well, so it will take some organising to see who plays where and in which games.

“Like I’ve said it is not ideal but we have to get on with it. We will be playing and recovering for much of next week and it will be a question of nursing them through so they do not suffer any injuries due to fatigue.”