Central defender Drissa Diallo is still some way from a return to first team action after snapping a hamstring tendon just before Christmas. The Guinean international could well miss the remainder of the season.

Physio Dave Williams told the club site: "It's very difficult to put a date on Drissa's return because of the injury.

"The tendon, which is two inches above the knee, snapped back in December. It's healing OK and we have done various tests to monitor the situation, but it's a case of taking it one day at a time.

"The specialists we have consulted around the country all agree that it's best managed conservatively, as we are doing.

"The problem is that the scar tissue, which is there to help repair the damage to the tendon, is still too immature to take a full load, so when Drissa has stepped up his rehab, he has got so far and then the scar tissue has become inflamed. That has happened two or three times.

"It's now a case of allowing more time for the scar tissue to settle down. He's back running at around 75 per cent and hopefully he will return to training in two or three weeks.

"It's important that we continue to take it one step at a time, though. The latest scans have shown no new injury but we can't put a date on Drissa being back fully fit and ready for match action.

"It could be two or three weeks, it could be two or three months and obviously Drissa is very down about it, but all we can do is be patient."

Photo: Action Images

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