Harrogate Town v Leyton Orient: Ryan Fallowfield feeling fine and ready if called upon

Harrogate Town defender Ryan Fallowfield has admitted that he was “hit hard” by Covid-19 having contracted the virus in January. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The Harrogate Town right-back missed four consecutive matches as he struggled to shake off the after-effects of Covid-19, having tested positive for the virus in early January.

But, the 25-year-old was fit enough to take his place on the substitutes’ bench against Cheltenham in midweek, and having being introduced in the 74th minute and come through the experience unscathed, he says he is confident that could do a job for his team this Saturday.

“I’m feeling alright. If the gaffer needs me to start against Orient I’ll be able to do it. I’m ready if called upon,” he told the Harrogate Advertiser.

Ryan Fallowfield's last Harrogate Town start came against Oldham Athletic on Boxing Day.

“Covid hit me hard and there’s nothing you really can do about it, it’s not like recovering from an injury, but I do feel like I’ve got over it now.

“I’ve had to build my fitness back up because, to be quite honest, I was nowhere near where I needed to be.

“It’s not been that easy because we’ve been playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday recently and also some of our training sessions have been affected by the snow and bad weather.

“There also hasn’t been the opportunity to play in an under-23s game or a friendly like you would have done pre-coronavirus to see where you are in terms of your fitness.

“So when lads are coming back from injuries or whatever, you’re almost guessing a bit as to whether you’re fit enough, but I felt alright after coming on against Cheltenham.”

Having returned to training last month following a spell in self-isolation, Fallowfield was pressed into action as a second-half substitute against Exeter City on January 19, but admitted afterwards that he struggled due to shortness of breath.

And, following a frank conversation with manager Simon Weaver, he subsequently sat out Town’s clashes with Salford City, Tranmere Rovers, Newport County and Crawley.

“I travelled to Salford with the team but I spoke to the gaffer before the game and I told him that I wasn’t fully-fit," the ex-Hull City defender added.

“I had to be honest with him. I knew that I wasn’t right.

“The way I look at it, if I don't have the energy to play my usual game and get up and down the pitch from right-back then the team isn’t going to get the best out of me and I’m not going to be able to influence the match.

“We agreed that it was best for me just to try and build myself back up to where I needed to be and, at the end of the day, it’s your health. You have got to look after yourself.”

Town's clash with Orient kicks-off at 3pm this Saturday at the EnviroVent Stadium.