Uwe's army are making waves

BIG IMPACT THIS SEASON . . . Fleetwood's David Ball (right)

UWE Rosler is one of a number of Fleetwood Town employees to catch the eye of clubs higher up the food chain, after an outstanding season has left the Cod Army well-placed to land a play-off spot.

After last night's 3-1 win at Oxford United, Town remain third in Sky Bet League One, ahead of Saturday's trip to SportsDirect.com Park.

Rosler is reportedly a managerial target for Norwich City as they rebuild with an eye on next season.

TIPPED

Little wonder, after a campaign in which a club tipped for relegation have defied the odds with a hugely impressive and consistent run that has seen them remain unbeaten away from their Highbury Stadium since November.

Right wing-back Conor McLaughlin, brother of Athletic's Ryan and a reported target of Leeds last summer, has impressed enough to join his manager in the representative League One team of the season.

And bombing forward on the other flank is 22-year-old Amari'i Bell, a Birmingham City product who is attracting interest from top-flight clubs Swansea and West Ham.

Keeping it together this month is utterly crucial, though, with only six points separating Fleetwood in third from Millwall in seventh.

Automatic promotion appears a far-fetched target when seven points shy of Bolton in second, but Rosler knows how vital every game is when it comes to securing a play-off place.

"I think now the games are queuing up and I said, seven months ago, April will be the most important month and that is exactly how it will be," the former Brentford, Wigan Athletic and Leeds manager told the Blackpool Gazette.

The quest to remain in contention was aided at the weekend by the return to contention of ex-Bristol City forward Wes Burns.

Before Oxford last night, Fleetwood had struggled for goals, with Devante Cole - the man who set up the own goal from Josh Law that beat Athletic - suffering a groin issue.

"Wes has been out for nearly three months," said Rosler. "Under normal circumstances, when we had different options, he would not even be on the pitch or the bench.

"The only way to get him fit at this stage of the season is to give him minutes.

"Obviously everybody saw he needs a little bit more basic work before he steps on the pitch.

"That is no criticism, it is just a fact you find out when you put a player in that situation.

"Up front we don't have many options. Devante (Cole) is on the way back, that is where we are at the moment and we have to find ways (to score)."

Nathan Pond has been around throughout Fleetwood's impressive ascent from non-league and is aiming at his seventh promotion with the club.