Benny Phillips has had selection problems throughout his short reign as Avenue manager - but not the type he envisaged.

With a squad boosted by an influx of players facilitated by the club's millionaire new owner, as well as the bulk of the squad that reached the play-offs last season, Phillips should have been wondering who to leave out next as he adopted a Rafa Benitez-like rotation system.

Yet if anyone were to suggest that to Phillips now he would issue a terse "I wish" retort.

"Hopefully it will come one day and it could be one day soon," said Phillips, who remains enthusiastic despite the difficulties he has encountered so far.

"I am looking forward to having so much competition for places that I have a good team, a strong bench and two or three sitting in the stand who just missed out on the match-day squad.

"That will bring problems for myself as manager but, unlike the ones we have had so far, they will be nice ones. Wondering how to keep them all interested will be a change after scratching around to fill a team-sheet with a limited number of available players."

Phillips is fully aware that every club has injury problems to contend with, knowing they have to be self-sufficient, and realises that he has to deliver.

It rankles him to have to trot out the list of injuries week after week, because he fears detractors will claim he is seeking excuses, but one player Phillips is desperate to get back in the squad is striker Griff Jones.

"Last week he moved on again, began running at full pace and was able to twist and turn," said Phillips.

"He has joined in full training since then and is close to a comeback. The next game after today is away on Monday and I think that is too soon, so Griff will not travel with the squad.

"Fortunately the reserves have a game the same night so he will get a run-out for them to get some match practice. I rate him that highly that I want him back in the first-team squad as soon as possible.

"Depending on how he goes with the reserves this week, he could be in with a chance of making the squad for next Saturday's home game against Bridlington Town."

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our on-line forum - Click here