Celts are set to return to action for the first time in the league since early December at the Highbury Stadium this evening, with the pitch covered in protective sheeting and hot air being blown onto the
surface.

The disruption has been untimely in the extreme for the Throstle Nest men, whose last fixture in all competitions was in their narrow FA Trophy defeat at big-spending Corby on December 12, which came on the back of five straight wins.

Since then, Celts have copped five-and-a-half weeks of postponement frustration, but Parsley expects his players to come flying out of the blocks this evening and make up for lost time.

He said: "We don't want to come off second best, using the break as an excuse for losing our momentum.

"We've kept our fitness levels up by training in the gym at Farsley and while I accept that it's no substitute for a match, we're going to a side who are top of the league so we've no room to be starting in second or third gear.

"We've got to be right, from the word go as we are playing the best side in the league as far as I'm concerned. It's going to be a difficult test and we need to be on our mettle.

"The lads want to get going. It's an old cliche that you'd rather play games than train.

"The break is certainly wearing a bit thin now and we'll be raring to go tonight.

"It's been very difficult for everybody, what with the finances as well. The secretary is playing catch-up, trying to organise the fixtures."

Fleetwood have been in irresistible form on home soil of late where they have triumphed in their last five league fixtures. They have been
undefeated at home in the Blue Square North this season.

But Parsley, whose side upset co-leaders Southport at Haig Avenue in September, says his men aren't daunted by their mission.

He added: "Fleetwood are all geared up for promotion, but we aren't here just to make the numbers up.

"It will be tough, though, for they have 18 to 20 players all capable of playing in a Championship-winning Conference North side.

"Micky Mellon also rotates his players as teams do in the Premiership to keep them all fresh.

"They score goals and are very attack-minded, but they do have a tendency to drop points when they are not expected to and hopefully, we can capitalise on that."

Dominic Krief, who is serving a one-match ban, is missing for the Celts tonight.