Colin Caton will take charge of his 600th game as Bala Town manager on Saturday boosted by the news that his injury list finally appears to be easing.

Caton will reach the landmark figure with a visit to Barry Town after coming through a testing festive period that saw them take in five games in just 16 days.

“It was a really tough ask for a part-time team over the Christmas period with family commitments and lads working shifts in between but I was really pleased with the lads and only one defeat in five against TNS,” said Caton.

“It was hard for us too having to use our coaching staff of Ryan Valentine and Stephen Fisher on the bench as named subs,” he added.

Amongst those returning is Chris Venables who served a one-match ban in Bala’s last outing, a 1-1 draw with Llandudno.

That result leaves the Lakesiders fourth place in the JD Welsh Premier League as they complete their Phase 1 schedule and Caton confirmed he is hoping to get more absentees back for Phase 2.

“We have another tough game away to Barry on Saturday to bring the first half of the season to a close. We get Chris Venables back after suspension for that and we have a couple of free weeks to get our injured lads back up to match fitness; David Thompson, Andrai Jones, Stuart J Jones.”

Colin Caton has also been nominated as a candidate for December’s Manager of the Month award alongside Barry Town’s Gavin Chesterfield, Andy Morrison from the Nomads and The New Saints’ Scott Ruscoe.

Chris Venables meanwhile has been named alongside Lee Idzi (Carmarthen), Michael Wilde (Connah’s Quay) and Mike Williams (Llandudno) as the four nominees for December’s Player of the Month.

Fans can cast their vote online before an official announcement is made on Saturday.