Winger on the road to recovery
Neal Ardley has said that Andy Barcham is progressing well in his recuperation, but the winger’s return will be carefully managed after a serious injury.
Barcham, who made a great start to his Wimbledon career, suffered a medial ligament injury against Morecambe last month, but he is no longer wearing a knee brace as his knee is now stable enough without it.
After starting knee and lower-limb rehabilitation in the gym, Barcham had his first session at Aqua Physio last Thursday.
Neal Ardley said: “Andy is coming on well and hopefully it will be the end of November, start of December, for him. But we have to get him up to speed and get his fitness levels right, almost like a mini pre-season. Andy and Bayo are big misses for us as they are players that can make things happen.”
Neal added that James Shea should be back training in the next two or three weeks after being sidelined with a groin injury.
Bayo Akinfenwa and George Francomb both missed the FA Cup defeat to Forest Green Rovers with thigh injuries, but they could be back in contention for Portsmouth on Sunday.