Fermanagh manager Ryan McMenamin has admitted that he is unlikely to have Che Cullen available when the inter-county re-commences this month.

Cullen is to return to to work in Budapest now that Belnaleck's championship season is finished and with Hungary one of the countries that requires a two week quarantine when travelling in from, it is not likely that the key defender will not feature in the remaining two league games and the championship encounter against Down.

"Che is going back to Budapest," said McMenamin. "I sat down for a cup of tea with Che recently and we just have to play it by ear with him regarding lockdown and the situation with Hungary. It is his job and the job comes first.

"It all depends on the situation, Hungary is one of the countries that is on the two week quarantine list and that could change and we'll keep monitoring it," he added.

Fermanagh started back training on September 14 but McMenamin says that they are only getting back up to full numbers this week as most players had still been involved in the club championship.

"We started back on the 14th but it has been slow, we only had six players available on a first night because of the way the Fermanagh Championship is set up is and then the last couple of nights we have had ten or 11.

"Wednesday (yesterday) is the first night that we will probably have numbers over 20 or 25 for training so it has been frustrating but there is nothing we can do about it.

"In one way though it was good because there is a couple of new boys in and we could get to know them in a smaller group but now we know the work we have to do and we all have to put our shoulder the wheel," added Ricey.

The new faces added to the squad is understood to include Kinawley pair Daire O'Cathain and Aaron Tierney while there is a return for Teemore's Cian McManus and Eddie Courtney of Aghadrumsee.

Among those who are no longer part of the squad are Eoin McManus, James Allen and Garvan Jones.

With the quick return to action, McMenamin is also planning without any player who is carrying an injury.

"You have boys that have picked up injuries and the way it is, if you have picked up an injury now there is no point in committing for this year because you are taking up someone's place on the 32 and we just have to move on.

"We'll meet up with them for 2021 which is only 12 weeks away," he said.

McMenamin's focus is on the upcoming games although he also has an eye on next season in terms of additions to his squad.

"Looking ahead to next year, Conor Love had a great championship and I was speaking to Conor and he would love to come in but he has had a few niggles so we have given programmes to Conor and a couple of other lads like Joe McDade from Lisnaskea and they are happy enough to do the programme and come in for 2021.

"In these situations you have to look towards 2021 but we are focused on 2020 and we want to give 2020 a good rattle because looking at all the club championships this year, it is the teams that go out and give it a lash. Maybe you have less thinking to do about things and just go out and do it," he said.

Fermanagh return to action with their remaining two league games, away to Clare on October 18 before a home against Laois six days later with the Ernemen needing two wins to give themselves a chance of survival in Division Two.

And then there is a two week gap before Down travel to Brewster Park in the Ulster Championship.

"I didn't think the league was going to go ahead but we have to meet that challenge head on. Clare are in the same situation as us, their county finals were only played last week, Laois are only at the semi-final stage so we are just going to give it a go. The last game against Armagh wasn't a true reflection of us and the lads were brave enough after it at the last training session we had to stand up and admit they were poor.

"We know it is going to be tough but it is a different year and sometimes when it is different there is a chance to make an opportunity and we have to grab these opportunities," said the former Tyrone All Ireland winner.

With Covid-19 still very much to the fore, McMenamin acknowledges that safety must come first and that they have to adhere to the regualtions.

"I think every team is going to have a Covid problem at one time or another. We just have to make sure that at training we do everything we can to ensure that everything is as safe and the lads have to make sure when they are out and about that they adhere to the rules. If everyone does that we hopefully won't have a problem," he stated.