Source: FOOTYMAD
Welcome news for Coventry City for once
Injury worries eased at last. Andy Thorn has had to contend with the double whammy of starting the new season with a much smaller squad than he ended last season as well as losing players either in pre-season or early season to injury. Thorn has been forced to select a number of untried Academy youngsters to make up the numbers and they have performed more than admirably, but Thorn also needs experienced players and will be boosted by the news that some of his injured players are now returning from their injuries and will soon be available for selection. A number of players will be put through their paces later today in a behind closed doors reserve friendly against Shrewsbury and should they pass this stern test, they could be in the squad to face Derby County at The Ricoh on Saturday. Strike Gary McSheffrey will be one player trying to prove his fitness following his recovery from a hamstring injury in the reserves game this afternoon, but whether he plays alongside new boy Cody McDonald depends on Thorn. Striker Clive Platt, defenders James McPake and Nathan Cameron are all likely to play today, but winger David Bell probably won't be risked as he continues his recovery from a back problem Andy Thorn said, “Cody coming in has given us all a lift. All of a sudden we are getting a few bodies out of the treatment room which is great news for us." “Sheffs did his hamstring at Crystal Palace and I can’t wait to get him back. He will play 45 minutes against Shrewsbury today, so I am pleased with that, and Clive Platt will play as well.” McDonald hasn't trained much this season and has not played a competitive game this season, so whether Thorn will risk him in the friendly today is in doubt. Thorn said, “I will monitor Cody and decide whether to play him or not because we have to look after him,” David Bell had to be replaced in the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough and today's game may be too soon for him to play. “Belly is back in training but we have to watch him because we don’t want him breaking down," said Thorn. "I have got to have him 100 per cent fit because we don’t want him picking up secondary injuries, but there’s a really good feeling about the place, they trained well again yesterday and we’re looking for a really good week and build up to the weekend.”
