CUMNOCK boss Tony McInally says his squad are looking forward to getting back to some “normality” when training resumes.

A firm date is yet to be agreed for when lower league clubs can return to training but chiefs at the new West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) recently confirmed that they were planning on starting the season in October.

Teams in the WoSFL, which will see all West Region junior sides join the pyramid system, are hoping they will be given the green light to resume training by the end of this month or early in August.

McInally said: “It’s good we now have a provisional date for the start of the season.

“It means we can work backwards from that date and start preparing the players.

“Obviously there has been an easing of lockdown so we are waiting for a word as to when we can get back to training.

“We expect that when we do it will be in small groups and social distancing measures will be in place.

“However, senior teams are starting full contact training now so you never know it could go straight to that situation.

“I’m hoping we can get back training at the end of this month or early August which will then give us at least six weeks before the league season starts.

“The whole squad just want to get back to some form of normality as it has been a difficult time.”

When the season does start in October it will mark McInally’s first full season in charge at Townhead Park since he took on the role in November 2019.

At this stage it is yet to be confirmed whether fans will be able to attend league matches when they resume.

However, with government guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic regularly changing, it is hoped by the autumn that supporters will be able to get through the gates.

The Cumnock gaffer said: “Fans are the lifeblood of football. Without them football matches would just be like ghost games and training games.

“It is a must to have fans at grounds. There is no doubt about that.”