McKenna: Cajuste, Phillips and Johnson Being Assessed Ahead of Bournemouth
Friday, 6th Dec 2024 14:45
Boss Kieran McKenna says he and his staff are looking at whether Jens Cajuste can play three games in eight days, while Kalvin Phillips and Ben Johnson will again be assessed ahead of Sunday’s home game against AFC Bournemouth.
McKenna has lost George Hirst, Axel Tuanzebe and Chiedozie Ogbene to long-term injuries, all of whom have been big losses.
“Three of our most physical profiles, so important players for the level that we’re competing at,” McKenna said.
“There are a couple who are managing injuries but they were managing them to come into the squad on Tuesday night and we’re in a similar position going into this one.
“We’re still trying to manage through those and make the right decisions to get the best team that we can out on the pitch for any given game, but also not take any unnecessary risks with the fact that we have got a busy schedule coming up.”
McKenna, who added that there were no new injuries from Tuesday, confirmed that Phillips and Johnson, previously out with a rolled ankle and a minor muscular injury, are those players.
“Yes, both still not 100 per cent, both were in the squad the other night but still not probably at 100 per cent, so still working their way towards that,” he said.
Regarding Cajuste, who has impressed in central midfield in Phillips’s absence, and whether the Swedish international, who had played little football prior to the recent spell and has been managing a knee problem, he said: “That’s a question that we’re looking at at the moment. I think it would be an undue risk to play three 90s in eight days.
“We’re still building up his fitness, he’s still managing a prior issue that he had and we’re trying to find the careful balance of getting him on the pitch where he’s doing some good things and helping us, but not pushing too far where there would be a risk that we could lose him for a long period of time.
“We’re trying to find that balance at the moment and we’ll have to find that going into Sunday.”
Photo: TWTD
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IP9 added 14:48 - Dec 6
I would put Mass in ahead of Taylor.||
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