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Town Waiting on Norwood as Vincent-Young Continues Progress But Nsiala Out
Friday, 29th Jan 2021 09:55

Town boss Paul Lambert says he’s waiting to see how striker James Norwood is with Oli Hawkins and Kayden Jackson both missing for tomorrow’s game at Crewe Alexandra, while Toto Nsiala has been ruled out and long-term absentee Kane Vincent-Young continues to make progress.

Hawkins has undergone knee surgery which is expected to keep him out for around another five weeks, while Jackson is suspended for three matches having been sent off in the 1-0 home loss to Sunderland on Tuesday.

“We’ll have to wait and see how he is, how he’s feeling,” Lambert said when asked about Norwood, who felt some fatigue in his hamstring injury at Burton a fortnight ago.

“He’s not done too much with us, so we’ll have to see how James is and see if he comes through this one.”

With the Blues having a rare free week following the trip to Gresty Road, might Lambert look to take it slowly with the striker and not bring him back until Blackpool visit in a week’s time?

“That’s a valid point, we could do that, but again we have to wait and see,” the Blues manager added. “He’ll tell us himself how he’s feeling. If he’s feeling OK, then we’ll see. Whether he’s fit enough to start, I’m not so sure.”

Lambert has ruled out 18-year-old frontman Tyreece Simpson making the trip: “No, we’re OK, we’ve got enough guys in the squad in the minute, I’ll see how James feels.”


Regarding Nsiala, who missed Tuesday’s match, he said: “Toto’s hamstring came back the other day, just a little bit of muscle strain there, that’s why he didn’t play, because he’d been playing really well for us. That was why Elkan [Baggott] came on the bench. Toto will maybe train next week.”

Regarding midfielder Jon Nolan, who was subbed on Tuesday, he said: “That was just a change, and Nolo is just back training. He’s not done too much training, so he’s not long back after being a few weeks out so again we’re going to have too many games to take a risk with anybody, it’s too much of a risk.”

Right-back Kane Vincent-Young has been out since October 2019, initially having undergone two groin operations and then due to an achilles problem suffered in pre-season.

Asked whether fans might get to see the former Colchester United man soon, Lambert says he may get some game time next week, most likely in the U23s or an in-house match.

“He’s doing great, he’s trained for the last few days and done really well,” he continued. “There are some games next week, hopefully he’ll get part of a game next week and hopefully he’ll be OK from that. That’s a great step because he’s been a big miss, him.”

Lambert says the return of the 24-year-old would be a big boost with the campaign still not at its halfway mark.

“We’ve still got over half a season to go, so if we can get him back it’ll be a big plus for us because he’s definitely athletic, he’s a good player, a good character, hopefully he’ll come through today and then he comes through next week,” he said.

Centre-half James Wilson and winger Keanan Bennetts are making progress after knee and groin injuries respectively.

“James is doing alright, and he’s back running,” he said. “Keanan trained yesterday and hopefully he’ll play some part of the game next week as well, and hopefully he comes through that. But he’s another one that looked pretty decent.”

Asked whether veteran left-back Stephen Ward might need a rest at some stage with games coming thick and fast, Lambert said: "Listen, Wardy’s 35 and he’s been brilliant. He’s an incredible character in the dressing room and played a helluva lot of football, probably more than he actually thought and that’s three games in a week.

"So we’ll see how he feels and see how Myles is. But Wardy as a person has been a credit to himself and a credit to the club since he’s been in.”

Regarding Myles Kenlock, Ward's replacement if and when the Irishman is rested, Lambert said: “Myles is what you read on the tin, I think. I think he’ll come in and whenever he comes in, he’ll be steady for you, and if he does get a chance, then he has to try and take that opportunity.

”He’s never really let us down, Myles, and that’s the biggest compliment I can give him.”

Veteran midfielder Cole Skuse has been out of action since pre-season with a knee problem eventually requiring surgery in October.

“He’s doing alright, he’s not done anything with us at all,” Lambert said regarding the 34-year-old. “There’s no pressure from me, it was a nasty injury that. That’s been another big hole, people forget that. We’ll just have to wait and see how Cole is.”

Lambert says the former Bristol City man has been missed: “He gives you something different with his experience. Andre’s been brilliant for us, but he’s a young kid who hasn’t played many games, and he’s played nearly every game for us [this season] and sometimes you need a little bit of help in that area, somebody who has been there, seen it and done it. And that’s where Cole comes into his own really.”

New loan signing Josh Harrop again misses out having tested positive for Covid-19 a week ago but should be back for the Tangerines’ visit next week.

Tristan Nydam is back on the grass as he continues his recovering from the broken ankle and ligament damage he suffered in pre-season ahead of 2019/20.


Photo: Matchday Images



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BettyBlue added 09:57 - Jan 29
Oooh Paul, I've hurt myself again.....
0

CokeIsKey added 10:08 - Jan 29
I suppose the fact that in a couple of weeks we could have a new manager and Vincent-Young back breeds some hope. Top 2 probably impossible, but we could have a good shot at the playoffs.
0

timkatieadamitfc added 10:08 - Jan 29
Really hope KVY comes through ok as out of all the injuries we have suffered he's the one we've missed most, also if chambers is injured we now have no cover at rb.
0

Wallingford_Boy added 10:15 - Jan 29
Ben Morris?
1

buzbyblue added 10:17 - Jan 29
First time I've heard lambert tell the truth:

"He's not done anything with us at all,” Lambert said

Yes Shambert we've been tell you all for years to get rid of Exskuse!

-3

Radlett_blue added 10:22 - Jan 29
If Lambert thinks Dozzell & Skuse are interchangeable, then God help us!
-1

WaltonBlueNaze added 10:29 - Jan 29
Why on earth won't PL even consider Drinan and Sears up front as a partnership? We all know that at the moment we carry absolutely no goal threat.
6

tractorboybig added 10:33 - Jan 29
makes no difference same inept system coming up. and to be honest other than sears would we really miss any of those alleged strikers?
0

Stewart27 added 10:47 - Jan 29
“Town manager Paul Lambert”

Oh my days
-1

dirtydingusmagee added 11:18 - Jan 29
Norward needs his nappy changed. I think too many people are pinning to much hope and expectation on KVY, I cant see him making any impact this season ,even if he gets game time.
2

Razor added 11:29 - Jan 29
Er----Drinnan and Sears up front------NO NO NO!!

Get Norwoods mum to kiss his hamstring better-----never heard so much tosh in my life, fatigued hamstring------only at Ipswich!!
0

WaltonBlueNaze added 12:00 - Jan 29
Razor - who would you play up front then?
0

Suffolkboy added 12:11 - Jan 29
Look up , look out , try to be positive ; the tone of this report and exchange seems pretty open ,direct and uncomplicated .
ITFC need our support , even if and when things aren't going swimmingly ; the injury situation hasn't been resolved and the causes remain unidentified BUT the team still have a job to do ,together and individually whomsoever is selected ( even perhaps by default ) so let's wish them the best , and refrain from muddying the picture too much ahead of upcoming games !
Much to hope for, much to improve , many hopes yet to be realised – but hope should spring eternal !!
COYB
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MonkeyAlan added 12:29 - Jan 29
Just go Lambert. Evans you muppet.
0

grow_our_own added 14:14 - Jan 29
Is Lambert out too?
0

Linkboy13 added 11:20 - Jan 30
Load of gobbledegook from Lambert. Myles has never let me down he says ,why isn't he in the team then . There's players in the team that regularly let the team down but still get selected. Andre's just a kid that's the problem he still looks like he should be playing youth team football. Expect KVY to develop some mystery injury next week it just goes on and on the club's a shambles.
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