Put your feet up lads!

Ramsbottom United's joint managers have told their squad to look on their enforced rest as a well earned winter break, writes Tony Cunningham.

Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley admit they're frustrated as the arctic weather continues to decimate the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's fixture programme but the pair insist they're looking on the bright side. They've told their players to rest and relax and turn the break to their advantage after a great first half to the campaign since winning promotion from the NWCFL.

Johnson said: "We are treating it as a chance for the players to have a rest, especially as we are exactly half way through the season. We're doing what we can in training but are looking to return having realised that we have settled well into the Evo-Stik.

"With the exception of New Mills who thoroughly deserved to beat us, and the score-line flattered us, I honestly believe that we should have taken something from every other game."

The ninth placed Rams welcome Burscough to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Saturday and the joint Rams boss is hoping his refreshed squad can resume the campaign with a win to keep pace with other play-off hopefuls.

He said: "We need to push on now so we need all the lads showing 100 per cent commitment, both in training and the games, if we are to keep up with the top five. While we will be playing two games most weeks, every other team will be doing the same."

Johnson also insists that following the signings of Glodi Kuba-Kuba and Kristian Evans, both Ryan Moore and Keiron Pickup remain Rams players and have only been loaned to NWCFL oufit Padiham in an attempt to give them more playing time.

Johnson said: "Both remain Ramsbottom United players. At just 18 years of age, Keiron is very much a player for the future. He needs to keep playing, as he hasn't been a regular for us so far this season. Ryan's situation is slightly different, as it looks as though he will be moving to America in the near future."

The Rams manager did confirm that Grant Spencer, pictured, returned to Conference Premier club Hyde on Monday after being recalled to their squad.

Spencer scored three goals in 15 starts and four appearances from the substitutes bench this season and Johnson added: "Spenno [Spencer] made us aware he wanted to go with Hyde rather than train with us on Tuesday night. He couldn't commit to training on a Thursday night either due to work commitments.

"So we decided it would be better for all parties if he went back full time as opposed to keep joining us on a part-time basis. He is a very good player but we felt he didn't quite reach the heights of last season, probably because he missed the start of the season sitting on the Hyde bench."