Speaking to Paul Gough today, he updates us on the current injury situation.

Gough’y said, “David Duke started gradually last week and has been in full training since Monday

He is coming along very well; he is getting better and better! The only problem he has is a little bit of limb fluid that builds up after an operation. Very similar to if you have an ankle operation you get swelling in the joint. The only difference with Hernias is you get limp fluid which is a swelling in the stomach region or in the lower abdominal region, that just leaves the body naturally, the more David does the stronger he will come back the easier that will be!

The injury is affecting him but it is not hindering his training a spoke to David this morning he is very happy the way it is progressing, each day he is noticing the difference, which is what I said to him all along it, will do!

Therefore, he will probably play in Mondays reserve game.

On Brian Close Goughy said “ To be honest it has been very likely it was going to happen, Brian came back from the operation last summer, he had three operations on his ankles, he got back into the team then he suffered a hairline fracture to the calcaneus’s bone which was a separate incident which could have happened any time. That set him back six weeks but he got himself to level where he got back into training but he is feeling a problem which has reoccurred from last summer which stems back to his Middlesbrough days.

He did see the surgeon about that before Christmas who felt that by this point it would go but obviously it has not so Brian has to go back in and get that sorted which will rule him out for the rest of the season.

Neil Wainwright was receiving some TLC to ease his back problem but he himself said he is going to be fine at Orient, which was backed up by Paul Gough. Wainy has trained this week and will be involved for Saturday.

Simon Johnson is out for around two weeks with a thigh strain but it is not serious and should be back in training by the middle of next week.

Phil Stamp has aggravated a calf strain in the reserve game on Monday. Goughy said Stampy has a bit of an Achilles/ Calf problem should be back in around two weeks.

Joe Kendrick has broken down with a hamstring strain, he came off in the defeat by Shrewsbury with cramp in his shin, he did over stretch it came back Monday Morning said it felt fine did a bit of a jog but it cramped up straight away which is the first sign of a hamstring problem, we have reassessed him and he is going to be out for two to three weeks.


It has been revealed that captain Matt Clarke will have a late fitness test after suffering a groin strain in training this week.
He has travelled but is rated as doubtful.


Manager David Hodgson is in the hunt for a possible replacement.

Joey Hutchinson is doing well in the gym and Bertrand Bossu returns on Monday his fractured foot “that” has healed well he starts rehabilitation next week.