LYME Regis boss Julien Simier believes the Seasiders face a “mystery” against Crediton United Seconds on Saturday (2.15pm).

Simier’s comment comes as Lyme prepare to resume their Devon & Exeter League Premier Division campaign at Davey Fort, following a three-week break over Christmas.

Lyme returned to training this week but Simier is wary that Crediton, whose first team play in the South West Peninsula League, may have trained over the festive break.

Therefore, Simier is unsure what to expect from Creddy and listed his confidence in gaining victory as “50/50”.

He told the Bridport & Lyme Regis News: “We’ll see how we are and where we’re at.

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“Everyone’s buzzing to go back to football. It was quite nice to have time off to give that buzz back.

“The rest is a mystery, we don’t know them. Have they had a rest like us? Have they had a work ethic and didn’t stop all the way through?

“It’s possible. Crediton with their first team playing the Peninsula, it hasn’t stopped as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have done some training, or jumping in for the first team.

“It’s genuinely the unknown with the first few weeks back. If it was in the middle of the season you look at continuities and results, gauge a little bit where the others are at.

“We have to focus on ourselves and do what we do best, go there with a good energy, good work ethic and play the way we play.

“The rest is on the day, it’s 50/50. Who wants it the most will have it.”

Crediton, in seventh, have played just eight games but boast a healthy points tally of 16.

With four games in hand on Lyme, nine points ahead in third, victory would put Creddy well on the way to overtaking the Seasiders.

Simier added: “They have reinforced a little. They’ve got a couple of players coming in and I know Alphington first team went to their first team and they’re flying in the Peninsula at the moment.

“Also, I know a couple of their first team stayed and went down to the seconds. That’s a big reinforcement to their squad.

“I’m expecting a really tough game against a good team. I do believe them and Alphington are a step ahead of everyone else. Those two are a little bit ahead.”

Simier also gave a further update on Joe Bond (groin) and Fred Parsons (illness), Lyme’s star duo having been out for an extended period of time.

“Joe is out of the picture at the moment,” Simier revealed.

“He’s going to be a bit longer. We need to make sure he’s going to be OK and it will be the same with Fred.

“Fred at least won’t be available this Saturday. Hopefully we’re doing the right thing. We don’t want to take any risks.

“Joe is a different situation, he’s not played for a long time. We need to get him some minutes at training and make sure everything is OK, especially with a groin injury.

“Coming back to those greasy surfaces when it’s very slippery, if you haven’t got the strength and conditioning you might just slide and stretch it, do it again.

“You’ll be off for the rest of the season. With him it’s being cautious, taking our time.”

Tyler Wellman remains available before university studies, as is Jake Sargent.

Ethan Matthews is also tipped for a first-team debut, Simier adding: “I’ve been keeping a close eye on Ethan.

“He’s been really prolific for our reserves. I had a chat with him and it’s going to be his chance to shine.

“He worked really hard at training and he’s playing fantastic on Saturdays. He’s earned his chance to be with the first team, so it’s good to have some young players coming in.”