The New Saints gear up for the re-start

The Welsh Premier League has been suspended since December 22 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

But it is set to return on Saturday with TNS welcoming Bala Town to Park Hall Stadium.

Scott Ruscoe's side enter the game sitting top of the table – three points clear of Connah's Quay who have a game in hand.

In preparation for the re-start, Ruscoe named a strong side to take on Stoke under-23s on Saturday with an own-goal and strikes from Adrian Cieslewicz and Louis Robles securing a comfortable win.

And the boss was pleased with his team's display.

"It was nice to have a game on a Saturday afternoon because it's been a while," Ruscoe said.

"It was a good friendly, a good test and we put in a really good performance.

"It was a strong line up because we wanted to get people up to speed for next week.

"There are still two positions up for grabs that we are looking at. We need to make sure we have the right starting line-up for the opposition.

"But we have always been planning for a start date at the beginning of March.

"Now we are are raring to go, it has been a long time – since December.

"Everyone wants some positivity back and to get back playing in our league week-in, week-out.

"We have got another week of training to touch up on a few details regarding the opposition. But we can't wait to get started."

Before they take on Bala, TNS will play another friendly against Bangor tomorrow (Tuesday)

"For some of the players that didn't play against Stoke, they will get their minutes on Tuesday," Ruscoe added.

"And then hopefully we will have a headache, because this is a very good squad.

"We have got talent, we have got youth, we have got experience.

"We have got everything you'd want to choose from so I'm looking forward to picking a side for Saturday."