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Interviews

Cox's post-Lincoln reflections and injury update

26 August 2020

Interviews

Cox's post-Lincoln reflections and injury update

26 August 2020

First team manager Neil Cox spoke to iFollow Iron after the away pre-season friendly at Lincoln City.

United conceded in the first minute of the game and though the opening half was pretty even in terms of possession and chances made, Lincoln went on to score three further goals in the second period.

"We were obviously disappointed with the goals conceded, especially to concede a goal early," said Cox.

"After that, for the first half, I thought it was quite a good display. We got the ball down and tried to play in difficult conditions. They're a good side and we worked on a different formation, and I saw a lot more positives than negatives.

"It's just getting people in good positions. I chopped and changed, and played a couple of the attacking midfield players to try and get them on the ball a lot. It worked at times, and then it also didn't work at times."

21 players received valuable game time in the match, and that's the main thing during pre-season.

Cox added: "We're going to need everybody and they all need to be fit. There were some good performances last night and a couple of the young lads shone when they did start and came on.

"I'm looking at everybody. Everyone stands a fair chance, and they all count. I need to see them though and that was a good match last night to see how they perform against better players."

He did add that there were no fresh injury worries from Tuesday night, however.

He said: "There are one or two stiff bodies at the moment because we've been working them so hard, but everyone should be fine for training on Thursday."

Cox confirmed striker Kevin van Veen will be out for a period of time with a knee injury.

He said: "Kev's going to be out for a bit and will go in for an operation on his knee. We're not sure when the injury occurred but it's been an ongoing situation. We're just waiting a period of isolation to be completed (as per Covid-19 medical protocol) so he can get an operation on that. We're not sure how long he's going to be out for yet."

He also confirmed defender Emmanuel Onariase will miss the start of the season through injury.

He said: "Manny needs a hernia operation, which is a shame really because he's just come into the football club.

"With people having so long off, as soon as you start training people can struggle and that's why we've had to push people. We are going to get injuries, as everyone will (in these circumstances) but we have to be ready for this season because it's going to be a really tough one with lots of Saturday-Tuesdays, and players are going to have to be fit."

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