NEWTOWN manager Chris Hughes has refused to give up on the season re-starting following the end of the nationwide lockdown.

The JD Cymru Premier was granted elite status by the Welsh Government in September and permitted to contest fixtures behind closed doors with no spectators.

Despite the restrictions, several fixtures were postponed due to positive coronavirus cases among players and coaching personnel before the season was abruptly brought to a halt following the Welsh Government decision to impose a third nationwide lockdown in 10 months just before Christmas.

However Hughes insisted he had not given up all hope on the season resuming when the lockdown ends.

“At the moment everyone has a lot of unanswered questions and everyone has a lot to deal with,” said Hughes. “Football is not immune from this and of course we are all watching television reports about the pandemic.

“It is important to have some perspective.

“We all want to get back to playing but until it is deemed safe to do so then we must all play our part and follow the rules.”

However Hughes maintained the desire to complete the campaign and insisted completing a 32 game season remained achievable.

“That is the desire from everyone involved in the league,” said Hughes. “I have read people saying that perhaps, given the circumstances, a 22 game would be a better option.

“However the way I look at it is that if the second division finally starts after the latest lockdown ends with a 15 fixture programme then the JD Cymru Premier should be looking to complete its own 32 game programme this season.”

With seven games remaining before the traditional mid-season split the Robins boss backed his side to climb the table.

“It has been a difficult season for everyone,” said Hughes. “Usually we have eight games during pre-season but we had significantly less this season.

“We, like many other clubs, have also had positive cases in the squad and been forced to self isolate.

“It has meant a very stop and start season.

“Players want to train and play so if they are training and not playing games it does become frustrating.”

Hughes said players had been given their own personal training regimes since the start of the third lockdown and was content with the situation.

“The players are all working hard in their own training regimes,” said Hughes. “Of course it is not ideal and we all want to get back to training together but until we are told it is safe to do so then we will carry on as we have been.”

Hughes has brought defender Shane Sutton back to Latham Park following several years at AFC Telford and hopes the return of the influential centre back can spark the Robins to form.

“We brought in a few new faces in the summer and it is a shame we have not been able to allow fans back into the ground to support us this season. I know the players miss them too.

“Our current league position is not ideal but we have played the top sides and we can certainly be optimistic about climbing the table in the remaining seven games before the split.”

Hughes hopes to strengthen his squad during the transfer window with several irons in the fire.

“Bringing Shane back to the club has given everyone a lift,” said Hughes. “He was great in his first spell here and needs no introduction.

“We are also looking to strengthen in a few other areas and hopefully will be able to bring in a few new faces before the end of the month.”