AUCHINLECK Talbot boss Tommy Sloan joked that there will be no excuses for his players not returning to training in good shape.

Clubs in the new West of Scotland Football League will be able to resume training from Monday, July 20 - four months since they last played in March prior to the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Talbot boss believes that the lockdown has provided the perfect opportunity to stay fit.

He said: “One thing that is clear about this situation is that if you cannot keep yourself fit just now then there is something wrong because there is not a lot to do for everyone.

“It’s been quite good going out for a run and doing a bit of exercise each day to get out the house and get some fresh air so I am sure the players have been doing that and will all come back in a decent shape.”

Scottish Premiership clubs were given the green light to resume full contact training last month but it is unclear if that will apply to lower league sides when they return.

Sloan said: “Anything is better than what we have had. Ideally, we would like full contact as we have never trained any other way.”