Dance still some way off but Buckle calm over injury situation

The former Crawley winger is almost back to full fitness after an ankle operation curtailed his season last term, but Buckle is being careful not to rush him back.

It was also the manager’s cautious nature that meant he didn’t want to risk new signings Jon Shaw, Garry Richards and Danny Spiller, plus keeper Mark Tyler, who all missed out on Monday’s opening 1-0 pre-season win at Hitchin with minor knocks.

On the progress of 25-year-old Dance, Buckle said: “James is getting there, but it’s a slow process.”

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