Manager offers update on fitness of Max Clayton, Zach Clough and Gary Madine
Ahead of Wanderers' trip to Walsall, Phil Parkinson offered an update on his squad to bwfc.co.uk.
With stand-in skipper Jay Spearing missing through suspension, the midfielder's place in the team as well as the captain's armband are both up for grabs for Saturday's game at the Banks's Stadium.
Addressing his absence as well as touching on Max Clayton, Zach Clough and Gary Madine's respective rehabilitations, Parkinson was feeling positive heading into this weekend's match.
"The squad’s looking good, losing Jay is a blow for us but there are other players waiting in the wings for an opportunity," Parkinson said. "Training’s been good and the lads have applied themselves really well.
"We were pleased with the Under-23s’ win on Monday. It was an excellent workout for some of the senior boys and was so important to get minutes in the legs of some of our players who needed them.
"The captain will be revealed closer to kick off. I haven’t spoken to the players yet so don’t want to mention it now. Whoever gets the armband, it’s a great honour to captain a team at any level of football. We’ll think carefully before we make that decision."
He continued: "Max looks a lot happier in himself. He is progressing well and will be back out running next week. Zach’s been back training with us this week. It’s been good to get him back on the training pitch, while Gary has been back out running too. I don’t feel he’ll be out for too much longer.
"It’s a big boost to get those players back because without Jay, Derik Osede a little behind in terms of fitness and Dorian Dervite, Mark Davies and Darren Pratley also ruled out, we’re down to about 14 or 15 senior players.
"We desperately need those players back and when we get them back we’ll have a very strong squad.
"Matt Barrass is working very hard in that physio room with the rest of his staff to not only make sure those players are back quickly, but once they’re back that they are back to stay."