Buxton boss Gary Hayward planning ahead for when action can return

Last week the Bucks manager told The Advertiser he felt 'disappointed' that the campaign could be declared null and void for a second successive term after the NPL, Southern League and Isthmian League issued a joint statement calling on the season to be cancelled.

While Hayward feels that appears to be the likely outcome, he is spending time working on ways to strengthen his current squad for this season - if it can re-start - and next.

"The majority of the squad will be there next year, we've got options on them," he said.

"They will be there, and some are on two years contracts, so the nucleus of the squad will be there.

"Now we're looking to add quality around them. We're looking at some things we need that we haven't had so far - a front man with a bit of pace over the top.

"We want players who can get on the ball and dictate the play. We're looking at Conference (National League) level players.

"We aren't sitting on our hands, we want to develop the side and we want to win promotion and have a good season for the fans."

Some NPL players have made loan moves to National League sides - who are currently able to play - but Hayward says such a move for any of his players would only be permitted if interested parties covered wages and agreed to indemnity payments in case of injury.