Exeter City: Gary Caldwell thankful for 'selection headaches'

Gary Caldwell's Exeter City side are 13th in League One

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell said he is experiencing selection headaches for the first time since he joined the League One club.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Lincoln City, he added that he is having to "make big decisions to leave good players out of the squad".

In December, the club's injury list caused Caldwell to predict "a difficult [January transfer] window".

Aside from the extension of player contracts, Exeter made six signings.

Caldwell said the problem is "a good one to have".

"Since I've come to the club I've never had to leave good players, good people, out of the squad," he said.

"I've never had big decisions on who starts or plays, so to have the options and quality we have now is really good."

Caldwell added: "The key is the profile of player against the team we're playing.

"That's why Will [Aimson] came in on Tuesday night against a speedy winger [Derby County's Corey Blackett-Taylor]. I thought he was excellent at stopping him."

The Exeter manager said he was fully aware that sometimes "you do have to let people down".

"It's the worst part of my job by a mile, because I see how hard the players work every single day and see how much it means to them.

"I've spoken to the group about how everyone has to be ready because you never know when your moment is going to come.

"I hope the numbers and quality will drive up the standard of football."