Blues duo Gassan Ahadme and Greg Leigh have been back in training this week following their injuries.

Striker Ahadme, who turned 22 yesterday, picked up a foot injury in the Plymouth game at the end of September, while left-back Leigh suffered a compressed fracture to his leg at Sheffield Wednesday the previous week.

Manager Kieran McKenna says that the duo progressed to training alongside their teammates a couple of days ago.

“Not a full week with the group,” he said. “[Gassan] and Greg joined in with the group on Wednesday, so that was a big positive. And, of course, [Gassan] had his birthday on Thursday.

“He trained well on Wednesday and straight away he showed his hunger and his attributes that he’s going to hopefully bring to the team, and it’s good to have him and Greg back in training.”

Quizzed on when they might be available for match action, McKenna added: “Let’s see how their progress comes. Of course, this weekend is too soon for either of them to start.

“Gassan is ineligible for Tuesday night [the Papa Johns Trophy tie against Portsmouth], so after this weekend he’s got a good week to focus on the Buxton game and try and make himself available for that one. And let’s see how Greg responds in training.”

Sone Aluko, Lee Evans, Dominic Ball (all knee) and Tyreece John-Jules (hamstring) are all sidelined at present.

Photo: Matchday Images

PortmanTerrorist added 10:15 - Nov 18 Let's not kid ourselves we have done anything other then cope with the injury list we have. At least half a dozen points lost due to not being able to hold onto the ball as Aluko might have at Sheff Wed, Leigh not being beaten in the air for Charlton equaliser, and additional firepower/options to get us over the line with Lincoln/Cheltenham. Hopefully the worst is behind us, but we need the guys back and/or additions in January if we really want automatic, which we are surely capable of.

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Saxonblue74 added 10:36 - Nov 18 Really liked the look of Leigh and will be great to have him back. Ahadme is a great age for a striker and could be the missing link once he's up to full speed. There's no way we would have maintained our league position in recent seasons with these injuries, credit to the depth in our squad.
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MagicMoe added 10:48 - Nov 18 Been looking forward to seeing decent minutes for Ahadme since we signed him. Think he could be the best we have, but let's see, soon hopefully.
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C_Jam_Blue added 11:05 - Nov 18 Good news especially having lost Ball and TJJ recently. Who will be next to return? Evans, Aluko? It wall be good to have a virtually full squad in the run up to the busy Xmas period. It looks like Portsmouth have a large number of injuries so let's hope a few other teams in and around the top 6 begin to experience long injury lists.
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Bobbychase added 11:13 - Nov 18 Yep, second in the league, scored more goals than all clubs apart from Plymouth, best away form in the division and only a handful of clubs have conceded fewer goals. Would hate to see you if we were actually doing badly Portman Terrorist. PS: Leigh didn't play at Charlton, as he was out injured.
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Bazza8564 added 11:25 - Nov 18 Lets face it, we've had more than our fair share already this season but these things have a habit of evening themselves out over the season so lets hope the worst is behind us. Leigh is an excellent player but to be fair Davis has been playing very well too, but the return of Adhame could be key, with JJ out and Jackson suited to a wider role it should take the pressure off Freddie to play 90 minutes, so maybe we will see him on the bench tomorrow. We are in a great position to capitalise from their return so lets grab all three points tomorrow and get on another good run

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Flamencaman added 11:43 - Nov 18 Let's not forget some strange refereeing decisions 3-4 penalty's Harnesses goal ? Sheffield disgraceful equaliser, last weeks goal that wasn't we've had some peculiar decisions that home teams often get we don't ? The curse of Evans still about
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Linkboy13 added 11:43 - Nov 18 Can't help thinking when we purchased Ahadme we got the wrong type of striker to improve our options. Teams like Cheltenham and Lincoln who pack their penalty areas and are difficult to break down require someone who is strong in the air and it was evident that most of our chances come from balls in the air. McKenna doesn't really like to go against his principles of football on the deck. I did notice he played Burgess up front for the last few minutes against Cheltenham. When things are not going well you need other options on the bench. Wouldn't be surprised if we signed a striker on loan in the January transfer window.

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PortmanTerrorist added 11:51 - Nov 18 Maybe you have not been to many games Bobbychase but was stating clearly that we are hanging on to top 2, but without these injuries we would be clear at the top, which is what this squad is capable of. And yes, Leigh didn't play at Charlton, that too was my point! As well as Leif is doing, had he been available to come on for last 10/20 minutes as he did early season, he does not give Charlton a basically unchallenged header at the backpost. Keep up !

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Bobbychase added 12:11 - Nov 18 I go to plenty of games pal. And I trust my eyes. If you meant "If we had Leigh to come on at Charlton to prevent that header" then maybe you should have said that instead of "Leigh not being beaten in the air for Charlton equaliser" which is what you actually said. "hanging on?" We're rolling along at 2.11 points per game, which ends us at 97 points. Keep up
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keighleyblue added 12:37 - Nov 18 PortmanTerrorist sounds like a bit of a plum.
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ThaiBlue added 16:03 - Nov 18 Leigh has been a big miss love his energy in his game will be a big plus when back.
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