ON INJURIES
With Mendez, we’re doing some work with him but he could be out for a bit of time, possibly a few weeks.
Sam picked up a knock but we don’t feel Sam’s is to the extent of Mendez. Sam could be in contention for Saturday but he’s 50/50 and we’ll decide ahead of the game.
Lee Gregory is another one who won’t be risked for this game, it’s not just about one game, we have a number of them coming up so we want to make sure he’s ready for as many as possible.
I’d like to say it will be weeks with Harlee rather than months. When he comes back we want him to stay back because there’s a lot of football still to be played this season.
Tyreece is longer term. He’s early into his rehab so he’s going to be a while, we’ll wait and see if he can join us later in the season. He’s back with Arsenal for his rehab and we’ll monitor him over the coming weeks.
Mide is starting to get back out on the grass, working with the sports science team having done his work with the medical department.
We have done as much work as possible in terms of any specific reasons for injuries. The volume of games and the quick turnaround is the main part. We’ve looked at data but a lot of it has been the quick turnarounds and the demands of the games.
ON RETURNING PLAYERS
We’re looking at Lewis Gibson, Dominic Iorfa and Chey Dunkley. They are showing good signs of being back around it.
To have them back on the pitch and building their fitness is great. Mainly to have them mixing back with the players and getting used to that ball speed and being reactive to what happens in game situations, that’s the biggest part of their rehab for me.
They can do all the gym work and everything that comes with it, but it’s those reactions that are key.
ON ATTACKING OPTIONS
We feel the strikers we have available have got the prowess and it’s the time for them to stake a claim and put a mark on the team. They’re all champing at the bit to get the game time and we want them to put in the performances to keep us going in a forward momentum.
ON DONCASTER
I‘m looking forward to going back tomorrow. I was delighted with the time I had there and hopefully they associate my time there with the amount of hard work we put in to turn the team around.
We’ve looked at Doncaster of course and Gary has installed some stability to them. We know what they are like at home, it’s a local derby, we’ll take a large number of fans there and we’re looking forward to seeing our supporters in their numbers.
It’s important we keep our high level of performances going.