O'Neil: Philogene Could Start, Matusiwa Back in Training
Friday, 11th Sep 2026 14:09

Jaden Philogene is in contention to start at Crystal Palace tomorrow, while Azor Matusiwa is also back in training with Jack Taylor now the only player not involved at Playford Road.

Taylor and Matusiwa underwent surgery at the end of last season, while Philogene picked up an ankle issue in the friendly at Union Berlin, the former England U21 international’s only game in pre-season following a hamstring problem.

“We have everyone back in full training, apart from Jack Taylor,” manager Gary O’Neil said. “Azor is back fully training with the group. Jaden is back fully with the group, so it’s just Jack to go, which is good.

“We’ve had a tough pre-season, a lot of players arrive, some tough games, a cup game in the middle, so to go to Crystal Palace with basically a fully fit squad is a testament to the work that’s been done by the players to get themselves in good shape and by the medical and fitness team. To have everyone available is a big positive for us.”

Regarding Philogene and Matusiwa, two of last season’s top performers as the Blues won promotion, O’Neil added: “They will be hungry and injuries can be annoying at times. Sometimes you can lose the momentum and you have to play catch up a little bit, especially for Jaden.

“He came back after a little hamstring issue, which slowed down his pre-season, and then picked up an innocuous kick on his ankle, which set him back again. So it has been frustrating not to have Jaden around it.

“But he's looked up to speed this week and has been very, very impressive in training. Fitness-wise, he is in a good spot. If we decide to start him tomorrow, there would be no problem - he would be able to start the game.

“Whether he would be able to get through the whole 90, I'm not sure. But the fitness staff have cleared him to start which is good news. It gives us extra competition on that side.

“Azor will obviously be a little bit longer before he is able to start football matches but he is ready for minutes now. We can start to get him back in and around matchday squads.

“It is important for the group because as much as it is great to sign a load of new players and try and raise the level, the ones who have been here a while know the inner workings and the fabric of the club.

“They are very, very important and we need to keep that connection to what has been a very successful few years.”

Photo: Matchday Images

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Saxonblue74 added 14:15 - Sep 11 Philogene could have a part to play, assuming his head is in it. Matusiwa I fear is going to struggle for game time.
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Karlosfandangal added 14:26 - Sep 11 Maeda for me has he gets his head down and keeps going if things go wrong…with Philogene he seem to throw his hands up and moan at players if it goes wrong just my opinion
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michaeldownunder added 14:34 - Sep 11 Jaden can get in the box and score a goal out of nothing, we need players like that because I cannot see us dominating the ball enough to play our way into making easy goals.
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TimmyH added 14:47 - Sep 11 It's good these players are coming back to add strength to the squad but I certainly wouldn't start Philogene away particularly as he hasn't played for a number of months, he was particularly average away from home at a lower level last season so he'll need to be eased back into the fold. His strength has always been an issue for me.
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Marinersnose added 14:52 - Sep 11 Philogene is a huge asset to the squad as he is able to score goals with both feet from anywhere so a potential match winner. Yes he’s not played many PL games for the club but he’s a natural finisher which are hard to find. He’s not without his limitations as maybe starting is optimistic but he’ll have a part to play in the squad for sure
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Len_Brennan added 14:52 - Sep 11 Usual starting front 4, with Philogene, Egeli, Clarke & Flemming to come on as subs second half.
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muccletonjoe added 14:55 - Sep 11 If he could , he should imo
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Bazza8564 added 15:01 - Sep 11 I would be massively surprised if Jaden starts. We saw how his effectiveness was much higher in home games in the CH. At PL level, with a lack of fitness and game time in an away game? Nah. Can't see it
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Mariner1974 added 15:08 - Sep 11 Whatever people say, I for one am very happy he's still at the club, and now fit to play. Was our best attacking player last year, and hope he rises to the occasion and gets to show that in the Premier League.
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RetroBlue added 15:29 - Sep 11 Well I wouldn't be starting Philogene on Sat as we're away from home, and he only tends to show up in home games.
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bluesnightorg added 15:33 - Sep 11 I still think Jack Taylor would make a decent centre forward. Go on, downvote me . I LOVE IT.
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jas0999 added 15:50 - Sep 11 Good news. Two of our better performers last season back on the bench which will strengthen us. No doubt about that.
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TimmyH added 15:59 - Sep 11 michaeldownunder - most of the good work he'd done for us has been at home and been in the level below, produced very little away from home.
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ITFC_1994 added 16:15 - Sep 11 If Maeda is going to be dropped, Clarke should start. No problem with Philogene staying and fighting for his place but you he can't be ahead of Clarke who clearly/presumably has had his head down pre season and has started the season well! Whilst Philogene tried to engineer a move... Let's see.... COYB
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blueboy1981 added 16:17 - Sep 11

My gut feeling unfortunately is that we may well take a third of the season to settle and operate as a cohesive and effective unit.
You just don’t get that period of grace in the Prem’ - at the moment we have a square peg in a round hole, invitingly to expose, and many new players who hardly know each other.
Not ideal by far - but it is what it is !
Who knows what to expect ?

JewellintheTown added 16:29 - Sep 11 I'd put Clarke in the pecking order ahead of Philogene for many reasons at the moment, but each have their strengths & weaknesses so maybe formations will adjust to suit. O'Neil knows what he's doing & how to manage him. Let's support whatever he tries for now.
1

PhuketPete added 16:29 - Sep 11

I would just ask those who think Jaden’s relative lack of output away from home last season is an indicator of his likely performance this season, whether they also believe our most recent performance in the PL is an indicator of our performance this year.

Truth is both Jaden and Town have clean slates. Jaden could just as easily score all his goals this season way from home. So whilst I like Daizen, I look forward eagerly to seeing what Jaden can do - home and away.

ThatMuhrenCross added 16:52 - Sep 11 Well, lets face it, it would be a better option than Maeda!
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SickParrot added 18:21 - Sep 11 I would welcome a couple of different starters tomorrow and a different formation, just to give Palace something different to deal with. It's important that we avoid a third consecutive defeat and I feel that we need at least 4 points from the next 3 games (Palace, Everton and Fulham).
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armchaircritic59 added 18:45 - Sep 11

Well, whoever turns out for us tomorrow at both full back and attacking wide men roles, might have a very important part to play if what I heard from a Palace blogger last night is correct. He thinks that they are both dangerous and vulnerable at the same time, down the flanks. He also says if we ( or anyone else ) can keep Wharton from pulling the midfield strings, it's a reasonable bit of the job done. It will be interesting to see how it all works out.