Exeter City have reiterated their “long-term” commitment to manager Gary Caldwell ahead of Saturday’s clash with Wanderers.

The Grecians currently sit 20th in the table, having gone eight games without a win in the league, and are a point above the drop zone.

The club issued an official statement this morning following meetings with the board and Supporters’ Trust.

The statement read: “Both boards would like to reiterate our thanks to our supporters. Your continued backing through this challenging period is appreciated by everyone across the club.

“In keeping with our ethos, when we appointed Gary Caldwell last year, we took a view that this would be a long-term appointment with the aim of helping us grow and develop all aspects of the football club. This view has not changed.

“Running a football club sustainably is not without its challenges, particularly around playing budgets and squad sizes, however, we are confident in the long-term success of our club.

“The club’s immediate actions continue to be the exploration of the opportunities available to us for investing in all areas of football, including the January window, with that investment balanced alongside our long-term sustainability.”

Caldwell’s side returned to winning ways after a 1-0 victory against Swindon in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

Former Bolton man Yanic Wildschut got the decisive goal after just six minutes – his first for the club since joining on a short-term deal in September. The Dutchman, who had a stint at Oxford last term, has made 13 appearances so far this season.

After the final whistle, Caldwell told the club’s YouTube channel: “I said to the players before the game, regardless of what team Swindon pick, winning is important and is a habit that we have lost in recent weeks.

“We had to regain that habit and it was an important game that we won. I thought we started extremely well and could have scored a few goals in the first 10 or 15 minutes, we were really on the front foot.

“Later in the first half, I thought we dropped off that tempo and in the second half, we had control of the game without creating as many opportunities as we would like.”

The Grecians have had some bad injury luck in recent weeks, but former Scotland international Caldwell is hopeful they will have more options available over the coming weeks.

“It is starting to come and hopefully Reece Cole trains (on Wednesday),” he continued.

“We have got a small training group and everyone will train again on Thursday and Friday in preparation for Saturday.

“The weekend off that we had has helped us prepare for not only this game (Swindon) but also Bolton as well.”