David Artell admits that Mother Nature has not been overly kind to his club captain George Ray. The centre-half has not played since suffering a fracture in his back on our last trip to Yeovil over the Easter period and although he got as close as running again, the injury has been slow to heal to a sufficient level for him to return.

With time the only healer at the moment, the former Wales Under-21 defender has been allowed to take a holiday to prepare himself for the work needed to get back as soon as the specialist gives the green light.

The Alex boss told the club’s official website: “Mother Nature has not been kind on George. He has been out for a long time now and there is not much he can do. He just has to wait and let nature takes its course.

“He has been allowed to go on holiday. He might as well have that now because he won’t be getting any time off when he is ready. Going away will allow him to get his mind over it.

“He has stayed involved. He has come to some of the away games and it is great to have him with us because he is a bubbly character.

“The back is connected to everything, so it will take time.”