WISBECH Town boss Steve Appleby has challenged the Fenmen to show character as they prepare for their vital fixtures over the Christmas period.

The Fenmen travel to Newmarket Town on Monday, where they will hope to beat the weather to contest only their second game this month.

They will be without full-back Scott Johnson but Aaron Turner and the newly re-signed Billy Smith may both be set for a return to first team action.

“I feel as though November, December and January is where you win or lose leagues,” said Appleby. “It’s not just about football because the weather conditions come into play. It’s about attitudes now - the lads have got to turn up and want to work.

“We don’t want ‘fair weather players’ who only want to play when the sun is shining. At this time of year it’s about character and rolling up your sleeves to grind out wins.

“Like everyone else, I will love plenty of ale and plenty of turkey but it’s what else you do. You need to make sure you’re ready to play.”

Wisbech currently sit tenth in the Ridgeons Premier Division but the Fenmen boss said his troops will come out gunning for a top-six finish in the New Year.

He said: “In a nutshell, we have a run of games now where we are playing teams in and around us and we need three points. The draws are no good to us.

“If you look at the league table we could end up being fourth if we win a couple of games because it’s that tight.

“We’ve only played one week in the last four and it’s a killer. The boys love playing football, as I did when I was playing, and there’s nothing worse than making do with just training.

“The be all and end all is that the lads want to play football. We have been restricted and it’s not ideal but it’s the same for everyone.”