Town striker Jon Obika is set to return to full training this weekend as he steps up his recovery from injury.
Luke Williams’ side are in training on Saturday as they get ready for a Derby Day showdown against Oxford United the following day (12pm Kick-Off), and they could be joined by Obika who has missed the Reds’ last three games.
“Jon is really getting there now and we’re hoping that we will see him on the training pitch maybe even as early as tomorrow with a light session before the game,” said Town Head Coach Luke Williams.
“It is an ideal one for Jon to jump back in.
“There is an outside chance for Jon to feature against Oxford but it might be too optimistic to expect him to play any part in the game, but we’re certainly hoping to get him out on the training pitch.”
Lloyd Jones was forced off late on during the defeat to Bristol Rovers last weekend but the defender is set to be fine to feature against Oxford on Sunday.
“It is an injury he’s had before and it is like a cramp at the back of the leg,” Williams added.
“He’s had some surgery on that leg and it is most probably scar tissue or something that has not settled down because the muscles and the ligaments don’t sit quite how they used to.
“I don’t think it is anything too serious but once it flares up and it is like cramp then it is difficult to perform to the top level, so he needed to come off.
“He’ll train fully today and we expect him to train fully tomorrow.”
Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill got an hour under his belt during a 3-2 win against Newport County in the Central League in midweek, but his return won’t be rushed.
“He seems to have come through it okay and he played an hour as a precaution – he’s only fit when he can play an hour-and-a-half with no problems, so he’s there but we need to make sure he’s 100%,” Williams continued.
"Part of the process of coming back is to play an hour so to come back and play an hour-and-a-half from nothing is asking for another injury.
“He’ll be assessed a lot at this time to make sure there’s no reaction to training and the hour in the reserves, but he’s close.”
Finally, Williams has revealed that training has been upbeat over the past couple of days thanks to the arrival of an abundance of new players.
“There are a lot of people on the training pitch now so there’s a buzz and everyone is wanting to impress at the moment,” he concluded.
