Savvy looks ahead to the Wigan trip on Easter Saturday…
City boss Chris Hughton almost has a full fit squad to choose from for Easter Saturday`s game away at Wigan.
Most welcome of all is the sight of England keeper John Ruddy returning to full training ahead of the game, but sadly it has come to early for Ruddy to be a convenient replacement for the suspended Mark Bunn. Lee Camp will deputise, with Jed Steer on the bench (and Declan Rudd on loan at Preston)
Russell Martin will be available for selection despite missing the Scotland international games with a hamstring injury, whilst Alex Tettey is back following a knee complaint. Andrew Surman remains out with the same complaint, whilst Anthony Pilkington has failed to recover from the hamstring injury suffered against Southampton.
City Boss Chris Hughton told the media, “Although (with Russell Martin) it was a hamstring problem, in effect it was coming from his back. It is something that Russell has had before. Generally he is able to manage it quite well but he is okay and he trained this morning, which is the first time since he pulled out of the Scotland squad. The good news is Alex is back and training this week and he comes into contention. Anthony will still be out for Wigan, but hopefully back for the Swansea.
“The process now with John is to get him up to speed. He would need certainly a few games at development level before we could consider him,” said Hughton, with City`s development squad poised to host Reading`s U21s at Colney on Easter Monday. “What we do have is an issue with Mark Bunn missing the Wigan game, but that is why we brought in someone with the experience of Lee Camp. It is a situation we are very happy with. On an occasion where it is disappointing for Mark, who was in good form at the moment, it is great for us that we have someone we can call on in Lee.”
Hughton went on to comment on rumours linking Simeon Jackson to Championship side Brighton, suggesting the forgotten man of City`s attack would be going nowhere.
“I`m not expecting anyone to go out,” said Hughton. “Brighton have made enquiries (for Simeon). Not only them but a few clubs and we have had enquiries for some of our other players. We have had interest in our players but we have to make sure we do what is right here and that is to leave ourselves with the best possible squad for this final part of the season.
“We have been very fortunate in that we haven`t had too many injuries but we all know what can happen. We have had enquiries but no one will be going out. Jacob is back and he`ll stay here now. I would have to say he has come back quite sharp even though we are a little disappointed he didn`t get to play the games we would perhaps have liked at Palace. It was good for him to be in a different environment and training with a different team.”
City will have to be wary of a Latics team who have won four out of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 2-1 win against Newcastle United last time out.
Recent meetings between the two sides have been tight with City just about having the upper hand, however only one away win all season means that the Latics head into this one as the favourites.