The Tigers’ Head Coach reported that Callum Jones and Tom Eaves are still continuing their return from injuries and are still a number of weeks away from a potential return. George Honeyman will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Robins after hobbling off during the defeat at Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night. McCann says that Honeyman is “touch-and-go” having not trained since the match at the Wham Stadium, but will make a decision on the in-form midfielder before Saturday’s clash. “George Honeyman is touch-and-go for the weekend,” said McCann. “He got a nasty kick on the shin, but he’s expected to be back out training with us today but it’s not a long-term concern. We’ll make a call on him before the match on Saturday” Brandon Fleming has suffered a setback after sustaining a groin injury, and with up to nine games coming before the end of February, McCann confirms that the Club are looking for cover in that area. “Brandon has suffered a setback with his injury,” confirmed McCann. “Fingers crossed for him it’s not too long as he’s in good form and he’s been unlucky with the form of Callum Elder not to be starting, but we need to be strong in case we pick up an injury, so we are looking at cover.”
Is Honeyman fit for Saturday? Not that you'd drop Crowley, but there's got to be a place for him if fit?
Richie Smallwood Injury: Knee Target return date: Unknown McCann's verdict: “I don’t know until he gets a scan which will be on Monday. It doesn’t look too good to be fair, fingers crossed it’s not a bad one. “It came from that incident, these things happen on the football pitch, collisions happen all the time and unfortunately for Richie, it hasn’t worked out for him." Gavin Whyte Injury: Ankle Target return date: Next month McCann's verdict: "Gavin Whyte went over his ankle in training. Best case scenario for Gavin, maybe two and a half, three weeks. Worst case, maybe four weeks. “That’s a blow for us because he’s been in tremendous form but I know the physios will work hard to turn him around quick as well. “We’re actually pleased with that outcome because we were really worried when we saw it happen at the training ground. “It’s actually the best outcome for us that it’s not as long as we first thought.” Tom Eaves Injury:Calf Target return date: Mid-February McCann's verdict: “It’s a Grade Two calf injury which is a tendon injury in his calf which is not good and because he’s a big lad, it’s quite deep under his muscle so we’re really disappointed with the news we received on Tom, and we wish him a speedy recovery.” Brandon Fleming Injury: Pubic bone Target return date: Unknown McCann's verdict: "It’s a strange one. It’s up near his pubic bone which goes into his groin, it’s on the bone and as we know, bone takes time to heal, fingers crossed with Brandon he’s not too long." Alfie Jones Injury: Hamstring Target return date: Mid-February McCann's verdict: "Alfie Jones is going to be out for 10 days or so. He might miss the next couple of games but it’s not too bad. It’s a hamstring injury but we’ll turn him around quickly." Festus Arthur Injury: Thigh Target return date: Close season McCann's verdict: "Something happened with his thigh in training, he felt his thigh pop. He's had a scan and it’s not good. In terms of the timescale I don't think that the physios are confident that he could be back in the next three or four months, but it may be sooner."
We need Alfie Jones back urgently to go straight into the Smallwood role, hopefully McCann realises that, but I won’t hold my breath...
I think even McCann will recognise that. Hopefully Alfie might be in contention to come back after next weekend.
McCann... “Alfie Jones is close to returning. He’s building up his fitness levels, same with Callum Jones. “Gavin Whyte and Tom Eaves are a couple of weeks away.”
Max Clark was a promising defensive midfielder before moving to fullback. Seem to remember he won an England youth cap in this position. Could be an option.