Martin Allen returned to The Hive London today (Thursday) to take training as Barnet prepare to host Crewe Alexandra in EFL League Two on Saturday (kick-off).

After going to Royal Berkshire Hospital on Monday to have a stent fitted the Bees head coach was told he would not need the surgery after all and could return to work ahead of schedule.

Speaking after taking his first session back at The Hive, Allen said: “I took training for the last time last Thursday and went into hospital on Monday morning which was a bit of a shock. 

“Thankfully what I was expecting and what they told me would happen didn’t happen. In a way it’s good news. In another way I’ve got a few questions which still need to be answered. 

“But I feel OK and haven’t felt too bad for a while. It hasn’t been affecting my work but results from the tests I had at the LMA medical centre said there was a problem there so they’ve been looking into it for quite a while. 

“I didn’t think I’d be here today – I mean at work, not literally! It’s nice to be back out there and lovely to see all the staff and players again. 

“I am really looking forward to Saturday’s game, that’s for sure.”

The Bees host sixth-placed Crewe on Saturday and are themselves just two points off the League Two play-off places following an unbeaten run of four games.

Alex were relegated from League One at the end of last season and have made an encouraging start to the new campaign. They were, however, beaten 4-1 at home by Cheltenham Town in an FA CUp replay on Tuesday.

“They are in the play-offs so they have done better than us!" Allen said. "Steve Davis is a good manager who has been brought up with Dario Gradi and been through their system of coaching and training of all their young players.

“Some of their supporters are calling for their manager’s head which is totally nonsensical and I don’t know where some of these people think they should be. 

“They don’t spend any many on players, they bring through all their own young players and sell them and make money to keep the club going. 

“They had one pete tong result against Cheltenham Town and everyone is saying the manager should be sacked – it’s absolutely ludicrous and totally against the whole philosophy of the club.”

You can watch Martin’s full video interview , in which he discusses style of play, more on Crewe, Shaun Batt and more, below: