Head Coach Nelson Jardim has urged his players to make the most of their opportunities as the Exiles approach a busy festive period, despite the setback of losing captain Aaron Wildig to an ACL injury.
The 2024-25 campaign has taken a significant blow with Wildig's injury, but Jardim insists that the competition for places in the starting XI remains fierce, and the team must continue to push forward.
"Aaron is a huge loss for us," Jardim said. "I said from the beginning how important he is and how vital he is to the team — the way we build the structure around him, his leadership, his presence.
"So, of course, it’s a massive blow. But, while it's a setback, we have to keep moving forward.
"It’s been frustrating this season with injuries to key players like Shane [McLoughlin] and Kai [Whitmore]. Just when we feel we’re getting some momentum, we’ve had to take a step back due to these setbacks.
"But that’s football, and we can’t let it stop us from progressing. We need to keep working, keep pushing.
“Despite the injuries to Wildig and Bobby [Kamwa], it gives other players the opportunity to step up now and become key players.
“I feel like we’ve got other good young players who can step up and to do a good job for us. This is their time to shine and show everyone what their values are each week.”
The Exiles head to promotion contenders Notts County this Saturday afternoon, hoping to break a six-game winless streak.
It will be the team's final match of November before embarking on a demanding December schedule, with six matches in the space of just a month.
The Magpies, who currently sit sixth in the League Two standings with 27 points, have been one of the standout teams this season, suffering just three losses — two at home and one away.
And despite the ongoing injury frustrations and the challenges posed by the busy festive period, Jardim remains optimistic about his side’s prospects.
“We have to massive games coming up - Notts County and Wimbledon away,” added Jardim.
“They’re tough games for us, but it gives players the opportunity to step up and show what they can do.
“We have some really talented players in the squad and it’s a chance for some of them to show that.
“I’m quite confident despite the challenges ahead and confident we can cause team's problems.
“We will go into the next two games with the same style and same mentality as the last two home games.
"We will go there to compete, to develop our ideas and to win.”
