The long-awaited return to playing for Gareth Watkins looks like its nearly over as he has been back in training with the first-team squad.
26-year-old Gareth had cartilage operations on both knees which has kept him sidelined for the past 12months.
With Welsh Premier experience with both Newtown and Aberystwyth Town in which he made 38 appearances and scored two goals, the skillful midfielder also has international honours having represented the Welsh Universities team.
Gareth was appointed player/coach at Llanandras Park by Tim Broome when he joined the club.
Manager Broome is delighted to have Watkins playing; “He has been able to train for the last couple of weeks and is looking sharp,” he said.
“He has quick feet and is an intellegent player capable of scoring and creating a lot of goals”.
Presteigne have one of the lowest goals-scored tallies in the league with 23 goals in 15 games – Sam Williams is currently leading scorer with five goals while Nick Evans is close behind with four.
At 26, the fit-again Watkins will be Presteigne’s oldest player, but Tim says although our squad is young, we have a number of players that have played at a higher standard.
Goalkeeper Ian Havard, defenders Max Powell and Shane Sutton, midfielders Glenn Tolley, Gareth Mansell and Tom Goodwin all have Welsh Premier experience.
A midweek friendly that is still be be confirmed should help dust off the Christmas cobwebs before an important fixture away to Llansantffraid in which Gareth Watkins should make his return to competitive football.