PETER Grant has paid tribute to his players for hitting the ground running in their return to action following lockdown. 

The Wasps have been back training at the Recs for nearly a month after they were given the greenlight to end half a year on the sidelines due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

While a number of precautions have had to be taken and, for instance, the changing rooms remain shut, the Alloa Athletic gaffer says he has been so impressed by the standard from his team. 

Grant told Advertiser Sport: "We've been really pleased with them and it is great credit to them as they have been out for so long.

"It sounds strange but maybe because they are part-time they trained more during lockdown, going out for runs or whatever.

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"They don't have the luxury of being able to do that with their jobs, normally, so it has worked in that respects. They might not normally be able to do that be it due to shifts or time.

"Some of them have been working from home and what they have done is taken their lunch break and gone out to do their stuff. 

"It's great credit to them and we are delighted with them.

"It has been fantastic and the only thing we have missed is the dressing rooms, which has been a bit weird. It's okay now as it's not been bitter cold or howling with wind or rain. 

"The chairman has done a fantastic job in getting things ready and it's just a shame we can't use the dressing rooms; but we would need to have an NFL dressing room for the space required to do it safely.

"The club have bent over backwards to try and help us and we're delighted with the what they have done for us."

Grant has been able to welcome the likes of Nicky Jamieson to the first team and youngster Lucas Williamson is among those from the academy to impress. 

However, the 55-year-old admits they are still missing football's most important part - the supporters. 

"The boys are just delighted to see one another and as I have said many times it is a fantastic group of boys," Grant said. 

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"We're in a blessed position in that we are able to enjoy the game and the only thing taken away is the most important thing; the supporters. 

"That's the thing we miss and it's never going to change. I think the great Jock Stein said is that football is nothing without supporters. 

"That's fact and it's never going to change."