Skuse a Big Doubt for Derby But Huws Closing in on Return Wednesday, 29th Aug 2018 16:38 Midfielder Cole Skuse remains a big doubt for Sunday’s East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Portman Road due to his quad injury, but there is better news with Emyr Huws closing in on a return to the squad and Luke Woolfenden over his knee injury. “In all honesty he hasn’t trained with the group as yet,” manager Paul Hurst said regarding Skuse, who missed the game at Sheffield Wednesday having been subbed at Derby. “He was out on the training pitch and when we spoke last week I would have expected that he would have trained today. “I haven’t been told he’s not available. I think the plan is still to get him out there on Friday and have a look, but it’s not as definite as I probably thought it would be last week when we spoke. “We certainly want a player of his experience and ability available to us for such a big game.” Could he leave it as late as Sunday morning to make a decision on the 32-year-old Bristolian? “Maybe, we’ll have to see how the rest of the lads are and how we’re fixed. But you want to do your work and your preparation, certainly on Friday and Saturday, ahead of the game [with the players who will be involved]. “I guess there are ways around that, he can still be out there and looking and listening to the messages but it would be a big call if all we had to go on is him saying he’s alright on Sunday. “What I wouldn’t want to do is lose him for a longer period if we thought that was a big risk to do that.” Hurst says there are no new injury problems aside from a minor knock or two sustained by Teddy Bishop. “Teddy’s had to drop out of training today, he took a bang the other day, he took a couple in fairness, and I think it was his ribs, so he’s not completed training today,” he added. “Everyone else has trained and should be ready to go.” Hurst is expecting news on Toto Nsiala's red card appeal today but says he's not given the Sunday's side too much thought as yet. Asked whether he was confident that the result of the appeal would come out in Town's favour, he said: “I wouldn’t say confident. I know what should happen but whether it does or not is a different matter. “Again, I think we should find out today, I’m led to believe. I certainly hope so, it’s only right that you should know as early as possible. “It can’t take that long to make a decision, whichever way. Hopefully we’ll find out and then you can prepare. “I haven’t given the team too much thought because things happen during the week sometimes. “Yesterday was just getting them going again and today we’ve done more 11-v-11 but simply about us rather than taking the opposition into account.” Central defender Luke Woolfenden returned to the U23s in Monday’s 1-1 draw at Crewe after his knee injury, the 20-year-old having made a Lazarus-like recovery from a problem which was expected to keep him out for up to six weeks. “I have to say, I think credit to the medical staff and also credit to the player himself, he made a speedier recovery than we first thought or feared,” Hurst said. “He’s one that we’ve had a quite a bit of interest in on the loan front but as we stand, I’m sure you’d all agree, it would be foolish to allow someone like that out if we haven’t got another defender in the building with us. “But I think it was pleasing to see him out there, especially when we thought it might have been another three weeks or so. “He’s a young lad, hopefully he he doesn’t get injured anyway, but if he does he’s shown that he’s quite a quick healer.” Could the 19-year-old academy product be in the running for a place in Sunday’s squad? “Possibly, depending obviously on what happens over the next days with Toto’s appeal and any ins or outs that happen.” Emyr Huws, Andre Dozzell and Danny Rowe also all played the full 90 minutes at Gresty Road, might they have a chance of being in Sunday’s squad? “Andre, no, definitely not,” Hurst said. “Emyr, not really, in truth. I’d love him to be, but it was a big step forward there’s no doubt, him, Teddy and Danny Rowe getting 90 minutes. “I think they felt it but at the same time that’s natural. You should feel it, either that or you’ve just been walking round for 90 minutes which isn’t the point of the game. “He’s certainly moving closer. Could we involve him? Not from the start. Whether or not I look at him and feel he could contribute at some point, I haven’t given it too much thought. “We’ve not long finished training, we’ve done an 11-v-11, it’s not a game but it’s more minutes in that sort of environment for him. “Part of the reason for doing that was with some of the players we feel that they need that to either build on the fitness they’ve got or get back to where we need them to be.” Rowe has been slightly further ahead of Huws in his recovering having sustained an ankle injury when on loan at Lincoln at the end of last season. “He’s played longer, he played longer in the first game and managed the 90 again the other day, although he went into the game feeling ill,” Hurst said regarding the former Macclesfield winger. “It feels with these lads at the minute there’s always something trying to get in the way and stop them really kicking on. But, he got through it and he trained today and trained pretty well.”
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