Skubala: “We know they’re not on the best of runs, but we weren’t on the best run not so long ago.”
Ahead of the trip to Port Vale, Michael Skubala tidied up the situation with regard to the players who have been carrying injuries recently.
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild is very ‘close’ and will take some part in the Port Vale game. Freddie Draper continues with his recovery but will be out for approximately a fortnight. Adam Jackson does have a mask fitted and is training but this weekend is probably too soon. Doubts remain about Ethan Hamilton who has seen a flare-up of his previous injury. It could be something or nothing, a specialist will be consulted for their input.
MS spoke highly of the great Imps medical team. There is a lot of input before the players return to training which follows on with careful management of minutes when they return to the squad, be it a one-game week or a three-game week. It may be a case of ‘bits and pieces’ with a few minutes here and a few minutes there.
“Every player wants to come back and play ninety straight, but we know that’s not necessarily the best for the medium to long term”
MS receives all the information and advice about where an individual is at any given time but it remains the ultimate responsibility of the head coach about the key decisions regarding keeping a player on or taking them off the pitch to achieve a win or result. Whilst fully educated and informed at all times the head coach needs to get the decision right for the team and the individual.
