Key defender Gareth McAuley says he could be fit enough to face Nottingham Forest today, despite manager Roy Keane saying that the Northern Irishman wouldn’t be fit enough to play two games in three days. McAuley, who is continuing talks regarding his new Town contract, was a surprise inclusion at the Ricoh Arena after recovering from achilles surgery.
McAuley says he's much better for undergoing the operation: "My leg feels better than I remember. It’s very pleasing. I was in a bit of pain for some while before having to resort to an operation. It feels fine now and I had ice treatment on the coach on Saturday night.
"After seven weeks out you can lose your edge, but unless there is a reaction I feel OK to face Forest.”
Keane is likely to take the advice of the club’s medical staff before making a decision on whether to play the 31-year-old.
The former Leicester and Lincoln man has been offered a new two-year contract by Town and says talks continue: "My future is still ongoing. It will take care of itself and I’m focussed on my fitness.”
Skipper David Norris, like McAuley among the 21 players out of contract at the end of the season, says there has been no further progress regarding his new two-year deal: "It’s all gone quiet. I thought we were close.”
Meanwhile, former Blue Jermaine Wright has retired from playing at the age of 35.
The midfielder, a member of the 2000 promotion season and the team which finished fifth in the Premier League the following year, has been playing for Lewes in the Blue Square Bet South, having started the season with crisis club Croydon Athletic.