Speaking to the media on Thursday lunchtime, Iron manager Stuart McCall has confirmed winger Ryan Colclough will be out for the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate ligament.
McCall told iFollow Iron: “It’s really sad and disappointing news for Ryan, for us as a football club and the squad because he’s had his scan and he’s ruptured his cruciate ligament, which will see him out for the rest of the season.
“I think it’ll be pre-season before we see Ryan back on the grass, which is a massive blow to the kid himself being out that long and also to the club because he started his career here well and he’s always been a threat for us.”
Next for Colclough is an operation, with McCall adding: “He’ll get looked after the best we can and we’re hopeful he will have a strong recovery.”
McCall added that fellow midfielder Josh Morris, who has been out of action since October 13th with a broken jaw, is ‘seven-to-ten days’ away from a return to action.
“He’s got the okay now to get full contact in training and he’s been on the grass for ten days with us doing drills and working on his fitness. It’s promising and pleasing that he’s not too far away,” said the boss.
“Young Levi (Sutton), Jordan Clarke, Ryan and the two goalkeepers (Matt Gilks and Rory Watson) are out through injury. We had a little bit of illness in the early part of the week but that’s cleared up now and we’re all raring to go for Saturday.”
George Thomas returns to contention following international duty with Wales and after recovering from the ankle injury sustained against Burton Albion a fortnight ago.
McCall said: “George wasn’t available for their first game but he’s had good treatment there, was an unused sub in Albania and is back fresh, and looking forward to it. He was playing with a lot of confidence and can’t wait to be involved on Saturday.”
McCall is looking forward to the challenge of taking on the league-leading Pompey this weekend.
He added: “Not many people outside our dressing room and the fans will think we can get anything, because their away record is really strong. I’m sure they’ll bring a big support and the atmosphere will be good. They’re there to be hit at, and that’s what we’ll go out to try and do.
“There’s growing belief and confidence in the group of players and the staff. Funso (Ojo) has returned recently, while Josh is back out training with us now. There’s positivity about the group and we’re really looking forward to Saturday. It’ll be a tough test but we’re confident we can create against any side and hopefully take the chances that arise.
“We won at Bristol Rovers last weekend and defeated Burton here last time, and came back from three down in the one before (against Oxford). We take a lot from those and just have to keep growing.”
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