Coventry City injury update from Rhys Carr on Wright, Sheaf, Dovin, Allen & Bidwell ahead of Sheffield Utd
There’s mixed news on the injury front for Coventry City as skipper Ben Sheaf and goalkeeper Oliver Dovin have been declared fit for selection to face Sheffield United.
There is uncertainty, however, surrounding Haji Wright’s availability beyond this weekend when it’s almost certain that the Sky Blues’ leading scorer will be missing for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at the CBS Arena.
Elsewhere, midfielder Jamie Allen and defender Jake Bidwell have been back in full training this week, although the televised game against the Blades has probably come too soon for the pair who have been out for almost two months with knee ligament strains.
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Providing an update on Wright – who went over on his right ankle in the latter stages of the 2-2 draw at Sunderland, resulting in the striker being stretchered off the field – interim head coach Rhys Carr said: “Everyone saw it and it was quite a nasty tweak on his ankle there. He didn’t travel to America for the international break and he’s in the care of our medical team at the moment because we want him fit and available as quickly as possible, and that’s where we want to get to with him. But Haji is a little bit of a doubt at the moment.”
Asked if he’s likely to be out for weeks rather than days, he added: “He’s with the medical team and they will get him back as quickly as possible. I wouldn’t like to put any time frames on him because I think that’s unfair pressure. What I do know is that he’s ultra professional in terms of how he applies himself and the medical team are top as well, and as soon as he’s ready and available we want him back fit.”
As for key midfielder and captain, Sheaf, he said: “He was quite close ahead of the Sunderland game, and Ben has trained this week. We haven’t picked the team yet because we want to keep people on their toes and the training level has been very high, so we will have a look at things again today. But Ben is in training and available for selection.”
Dovin, meanwhile, sat out the game at the Stadium of light last time out with an unspecified injury following a “freak” accident at training.
“Oliver as well, back in training and available for selection,” said Carr, who called upon Brad Collins to deputise against the Black Cats a fortnight ago.
“He was very disappointed not to be fit for the last game but he’s trained all week.”
And asked for an update on Allen, Bidwell and goalkeeper Ben Wilson, Carr said: “Jake and Jamie have been back in training this week. They have had a longer period out so we need to monitor them a little bit in terms of how their return to training is going, but they have been involved, trained really well and I think they are closer to being available than not.”
He added: “Ben Wilson is still working hard and probably a little further away but I see him in the gym and he’s working his socks off to get back on the pitch.”