Sam Szmodics and Harry Pickering
Jon Dahl Tomasson is confident that both Sam Szmodics and Harry Pickering will be ready and available to feature against Huddersfield Town at the weekend.
The duo weren’t included in the squad at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, with Pickering a late drop out on the morning of the game at the team hotel.
Szmodics had been ill at the back end of the week ahead of the trip to The Hawthorns, with Pickering also picking up a bug on the morning of the game.
Harry Leonard replaced Szmodics in attack against the Baggies, whilst Callum Brittain played in Pickering’s vacant spot at left-back.
“It was a big blow to lose the top scorer in the league and someone of Szmodics’ experience amongst our young group,” Tomasson admitted to RoversTV when discussing the absent pair.
“He was ill yesterday and Harry got ill just before the game in the morning.
“Of course, it was disappointing to lose two players so late.
“I hope they’ll be alright for next weekend.”
On a more positive note, the boss was delighted to have the experience of Sam Gallagher back available and Joe Rankin-Costello, who both came on as substitutes in the Midlands.
Gallagher hadn’t featured since picking up a calf injury against Middlesbrough in September, whilst Rankin-Costello suffered a serious hamstring issue in the win at Norwich City back in November.
“I was really pleased to see Sam and Joe get their first minutes,” he added.
“Sam has been out for four months and Joe has also been out for a long time, so it’s good to see those players get minutes.
“You’re not going to be match fit straight away when you’ve been out for four months, not at all.
“Of course, they need to get up to speed for the competition and to help the team.
“I’m pleased that they’re getting minutes because it will mean that the team gets stronger over time.”
