NEW FC Clacton boss Mark Nicholls says he has been impressed by his players' work ethic since taking over in the hot seat.

Former Chelsea striker Nicholls replaced Tom Austin as the Seasiders manager last month and had been working with his new squad, prior to lockdown.

FC Clacton’s players are due to training next week, ahead of their Thurlow Nunn League premier division season restarting with a game against Newmarket Town on December 5.

And Nicholls says he has enjoyed working with his squad, so far.

He said: “The boys are training well as individuals to keep themselves fit before the season restarts and I have a good bunch of lads here.

“From day one since I came to the club, they’ve given me 100 per cent and they know that I will give 100 per cent back.

“It’s a tough period and other teams have had a four or five-week head start.

“But I have players who I know I can work with and I’ve had a good attitude from the boys.

“We’re looking forward to going back to the games, from December 5.”

FC Clacton face a busy schedule when they resume action, on Saturday week.

They face six games in quick succession next month, including the Boxing Day derby against Stanway Rovers.

“We’ve got a hectic schedule which is fine and games get players match fit,” said Nicholls, who took charge of his first Clacton game last month when they lost out to Ilford in the FA Vase.

“They do need a base fitness but playing games gets you fit.

“After losing in the FA Vase, it was a tough one to take considering we were 1-0 up but the fitness of our players was showing that we weren’t 100 per cent and that’s what has cost us the game, because they started to dominate later on in the second half.

“We went to Hadleigh and we were 2-0 up.

“But Hadleigh’s fitness showed and they came stronger in the second half, but we did have our third and fourth gears there and the boys did show that they can go a bit longer.

“It’s just back to the basic fitness and pre-season really – we’re basically going back to square one.

“With the games coming thick and fast, we’ll be playing Saturday-Tuesday for the majority of the season so getting the information over that I want to the lads is going to be difficult.

“But they are taking things on board in the training sessions and games that we’ve had.”