Town Head Coach Luke Williams gave an injury update to BBC Wiltshire earlier ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Exeter City in the Checkatrade Trophy…
“Nathan Thompson is going to have a scan and after that we’ll hopefully know the extent of the injury and be able to start planning roughly how long we think it will be for him to make a return,” he said.
“He’s gutted of course because he wants to help and we need him, he knows that. There’s nothing he can do now apart from rehabilitate as well as he possibly can and try and make a speedy recovery but he’s obviously very, very disappointed.
“Conor Thomas is doing well and there has been good progress on his ankle over the weekend so we’re hopeful that he’ll be back in the squad very soon.
“Tuesday is too early for him.
“James Brophy is fine, he’s training and he’s hooked up to a heart monitor that he trains with and he played in a reserve game wearing it just so we can rule out any possible problems that could be serious.
“He’s ready to go and he’ll train again today.
“There has been no further extent to Sean Murray’s cramp. He did feel that it was possibly more than cramp at the time but it seems to have settled down, so we don’t expect him to miss any training.”
Jon Obika is progressing well in his recovery from injury and is closing in on a return, although Williams is reluctant to rush the striker back to first-team action too quickly.
“Jon is doing well and he’s been on the pitch striking balls, running and turning and twisting so he’s very close,” Williams added.
“There is still some feeling there in that knee that gives him some cause for concern so we just need to give him a little bit longer to be 100% fit.”
Darnell Furlong is available for selection for tomorrow’s game against Exeter having missed the 1-1 draw with Eastleigh in the Emirates FA Cup First Round on Friday due to suspension.
“We need everybody now in the back-line to try and stay fit because losing Nathan (Thompson) is a massive loss,” he continued.
“We need to make sure everyone now is ready so Darnell coming back is really important for us.”
Finally, Scott Twine bagged a hat-trick on Saturday to make it seven goals in just three games for Town’s U18s, and Williams was full of praise for the young forward.
“He’s been in the squad and he’s been on the bench many times and he’s trained a lot with the first-team and given a good account of himself,” Williams stated.
“We keep a keen eye on him with the youth team and he’s outstanding, so we can see that he’s ready now for the next challenge.
“It is just timing for him now and when the opportunity comes it is over to him.”
