PLYMOUTH Argyle Ladies’ manager Dave Leonard says he and his team cannot wait to get back into action after four months kicking their heels due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Football Association confirmed at the weekend that the government has approved their plan for the return of outdoor competitive grassroots football.

Women’s tier three to six competitions can commence in September, providing clubs and facility providers have completed the necessary risk assessments and comprehensive Covid-19 plans are in place and followed.

It is 19 weeks since Argyle Ladies last placed when goals from Ebony Dover and Lydia Huntley helped them to 2-1 home win against Hounslow on March 9 in the National League Southern Premier Division.

Manager Leonard has reacted quickly to the FA announcement and has contacted all the players to tell them that training will resume this week.

“We can go back to training and playing and we are going to get all the girls back in this week,” he said. “Now we have been given the go-ahead it is the time to start organising. We will have a roll call and see how everyone has been keeping.”

Leonard has also been keen to try and get some pre-season games arranged.

He said: “We can’t play any until August so we will just have to see what happens. It all takes time to organise.

“But we are all up and running and looking forward to getting back into it.

“My own opinion is that the season will start early in September but we will have to wait and see.”

He added: “There are a lot of things to consider as we don’t know yet where we will be playing. Is it going to be on grass or 3G and will we be allowed spectators? There is a lot we need to consider.”

As far as possible coming and goings to his squad for the 2020-21 season, Leonard said: “We sent a list out last week and there are a couple who I am not confident in staying who may want to move on.

“We have tried to move people on and get people sorted and signed on and we’re trying to get things happening.

“It is a difficult situation at the moment as we will be training at Manadon until Marjon opens.”

Argyle would welcome any players that are interested in playing for either their first team or development team. Anyone interested should email plymouthargyleladies@gmail.com.

The club’s development team should find out more about when their season can resume when the South West League meet next week.