Johnnie Jackson’s resources have been boosted ahead of the busy Easter schedule, with a trio of players now in contention to start Good Friday’s game at Harrogate Town.
Our manager was speaking after Thursday’s training session at our New Malden base and before setting off for North Yorkshire, with another game to follow at home to Salford City on Easter Monday.
“Ali Al-Hamadi’s fitness has improved,” said Johnnie. “He was still nursing something from the win against Walsall, when he got a whack and had to come off. We couldn’t use him from the start against Rochdale, but he came on as a substitute and got through the rest of the game.
“Lee Brown and Diallang Jaiyesimi (both hamstring injuries) were also used as substitutes, as they’d only just returned to training in the days running up to that match. All those boys come into contention for a start. Chris Gunter is also in the squad that is travelling.
“All the other lads that played in the Rochdale game are fine. It’s just the ones with long-term injuries that are missing.”
It was, however, encouraging to see Harry Pell (calf) back out on the grass doing some work with a ball with our Head of Sports Science Chris McConnell.
“I’d like to think he could be back before the end of the season,” said Johnnie. “It was a big blow losing him. He’s back out running and hopefully we see him before the end of the season, but it will be touch and go for that.
“Alex Pearce (groin) is also back outside doing his first steps of his recovery. It’s a reminder of what we’ve been missing. Hopefully we can see these boys in action before the end of the campaign, but the important thing is that we send them away for the summer with a clean bill of health.”
Johnnie also gave an insight into what kind of an Easter it will be for the squad, with preparation for a double bill to fit in.
“It’s hectic,” said Johnnie. “We’re on the road today. We play Friday and then it’s a really quick turnaround for Monday, so we’ll be in training over the weekend. We’ll try and get in a bit earlier maybe, so the lads can get off and see their families.
“I’m big on that. It is important to get the right work in and the right recovery, but it’s also important to recognise these lads have got families and young kids and it’s an important time to be with them too. My focus, naturally, will be on the games, but we’ll find a way.
“I heard that we sold out our allocation for Harrogate, which is incredible on a Good Friday. That we’re taking that kind of support is fantastic, especially as we’ve not been on the greatest run. To still have that support is magnificent and I can’t thank them enough. We’ve got to put in a performance that replicates the efforts of our travelling supporters.”
Photos: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images).