EXETER City turned in perhaps one of their best displays of the season in winning at Barnsley in midweek, but it may have come at a cost ahead of Saturday's clash with Stockport County.
The Grecians lost Ryan Trevitt to a hamstring injury in the closing stages of the contest with manager Gary Caldwell concerned that it may keen the on-loan Brentford man out for the remainder of the season.
If that wasn’t bad enough, it seems that Demetri Mitchell’s knee issue is also worse than first feared and he too may not play again this season with the 28-year-old danger man set for surgery in the near future.
Ryan Trevitt of Exeter City is pressured by Kelechi Nwakali of Barnsley during the EFL League 1 match between Barnsley and Exeter City at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley on 1 April 2025 (Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)
“Trev has a hamstring injury and we are not fully sure on how long that is going to be, but he will definitely miss Saturday and potentially the rest of the season,” Caldwell said. “It is a huge blow because of how good he is and how good he has been for us in two spells.
“We know the quality that he has, he took a few games (to get up to full fitness) but the last seven or eight games, he has been outstanding for us. He got his goal (at Barnsley) and I think that would have helped him get even more goals.
“I am sure he will be bitterly disappointed, we are bitterly disappointed but I think everyone should be thankful that we saw him again in red and white and hopefully, his career can really progress from here because I think he’s a player with huge potential. Hopefully his time at Exeter can propel him forward and let him show that potential for the rest of his career.”
It is the second time that the 22-year-old has been on loan with the Grecians and the second time his spell has been cut short by injury. He played 23 times in his first spell in Devon, scoring five times, before he suffered an ankle injury in a 2-0 defeat at Cambridge United last December, which ended his season.
“It is like déjà vu,” Caldwell added. “The first time was an ankle injury, this was late in the game, a hamstring injury, but he’s actually been carrying a bit of an ankle injury. Potentially because of his lack of training and nursing him through games Saturday-Tuesday, that has possibly led to the hamstring injury.
“We are all bitterly disappointed, but we all understand in football that these things happen, but we are thankful to Brentford and to Ryan for having the opportunity to work with them again because he’s a fantastic person and I am sure he will have a great career.”
It certainly sounds like Trevitt’s time with City is over and that is also the feeling for Mitchell as well with his contract up at the end of the season. After being sidelined for the best part of a year with a knee issue, Mitchell has come back this season and played 28 times, scoring seven goals.
“Demi is seeing a specialist this week about his knee, he has a problem with his knee which will potentially require a small surgery,” Caldwell said. “We will get full guidance from the specialist who did his ACL injury and knows his knees inside out.
“He will also be out for Saturday and potentially the rest of the season as well.”
Goal celebrations for Ryan Trevitt of Exeter City during the EFL League 1 match between Barnsley and Exeter City at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley on 1 April 2025 (Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)
Asked if Caldwell will manage the game time of certain players, given City enter a spell of five games in 16 days now, Caldwell said: “I am not sure about managing and not pushing players. Players need to push themselves at the moment. This is the moment of the season you need to turn up and show your very best.
“We need to win games and there is still a lot to play for in terms of places and where we want to finish. We want to keep pushing forward and looking up, rather than down, so we will pick the best team.
“I think we have managed the squad quite well in recent games and not just picked the same team, we have put players with energy in the team at good times and there are so many players that haven’t been making squads. With the injuries, they will come back into our thinking and as I always say: everyone has to be ready to go and perform.”