ANDY Whing has urged his Banbury United players to show more initiative when it comes to managing their fitness.

The Puritans will be able to map out the new season at 1pm, when the Southern League announces its fixtures.

Their squad has been hit with a series of minor knocks in pre-season, which saw them only able to name two trialists on the bench for their friendly at Oxford United last weekend.

It is an area Whing, who was appointed in May, is aiming to build on before the league games start on September 19.

He said: “I had bit of a moan, because I think the boys have to look after themselves a bit better.

“They’re rocking up to training five minutes before with niggles on a Thursday when they should be telling the physio sooner.

“There are little things like that we need to get better at and we’ll iron all those things out by the start of the season.

“I think the players have to take ownership of themselves.”

Most of the squad should be available by the time they host Wantage Town next Tuesday.

It will take place in front of a limited attendance for the first time – and Whing cannot wait.

He said: “Teams like Banbury need people coming through the gate.

“It keeps the club afloat but not just that, I think the players need it as well.

“They thrive off it.”

Banbury were only just outside the play-off places in the Premier Central division when coronavirus cut the season short.

And Whing believes getting in the promotion mix has to be the target for the 2020/21 season.

He said: “I truly believe so, that’s why I’m here. It’s a fantastic football club.

“It’s been great since I’ve been here.”