Cheltenham Town have been affected with many injuries this campaign and manager Michael Duff revealed another few players will be unavailable for the upcoming fixtures.
The 2-0 defeat at home to Bradford City on Saturday saw the Robins’ run of eight matches unbeaten come to an end as the Paraders claimed their first league win at Whaddon Road since 2009.
Sitting third in the League Two table and pushing for promotion again this year after they fell short of climbing to League One last term, Duff will now have to adapt his team going forward.
The 43-year-old confirmed that centre-back Will Boyle will be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury.
“He’ll be seeing a specialist on Tuesday. He’s had a scan. It’s something in the back of his knee. He felt it against Harrogate initially and felt it again at Walsall,” said Duff.
This could potentially see an earlier return than expected but until then, Duff admitted that he expects “people to step up.”
Embed from Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Ellis Chapman missed out on joining the match day squad against Bradford due to contracting a quad lesion during the warm-up in the mid-week win at Walsall.
“Ellis is out for a few weeks after a significant tear in the warm-up at Walsall.”
Both Callum Wright and Finn Azaz were introduced to provide cover in the midfield for both Chris Clements who is set to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a hamstring problem and Liam Sercombe who is closer to returning following a calf injury.
“Sercs is probably about a week away, so he’s not far. He has a tiny little tear in his calf, but it’s nothing significant and he’ll be the first one back.”
With a light midfield, Tom Chamberlain, 19, was integrated into the squad and was present on the bench last weekend.
The number of injuries at present called out for two new debuts with both Sam Smith and Wright, Reading and Leicester City loanees respectively being introduced to the fold. They were fortunate to contribute towards a 2-1 comeback at the Banks’s stadium against Walsall on Tuesday evening.
Experienced 27-year-old winger, Alex Addai also remains sidelined for an undetermined time.
“I only found out about it on Friday afternoon after training, so we don’t know the significance of it yet. I have not seen Gav yet to see who is where. I’ll know more this afternoon,” stated Duff on Monday morning’s press-conference.
The Robins boss also has Grant Horton at his disposal. The 19-year-old defender spent the last three months on loan to National League South side, Bath City making seven appearances before getting called back.
“Granton Horton is back from Bath, where he’s done well. We have been pleased for him.”
The team’s focus is now turned to Tuesday where they will be back in League action away to Cambridge United with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.
Off out to train with eyes fixed on a return to action at Cambridge United tomorrow. #ctfc pic.twitter.com/44uVe7TcPu
— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) February 22, 2021
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