For several weeks, supporters have been told that so and so is close to returning to the squad. But again at Burton, Hereford United were stretched to choose a fully fit team including substitutes. Three players in particular have missed a lot of games.
Stacy Coldicott:
After four starts for the Bulls in August and then three games starting on the bench, his next apearance on the team sheet for for the FA Trophy game against Grays at the beginning of February. However he didn't feature and was then loaned to Cambridge United, in theory to help his return to fitness, where he played several times before becoming injured again.
There was no mention of Coldicott on the Official Injury News last Thursday, so one assumes he is now fit.
Last Monday it was said "Stacy Coldicott has today returned to the club and has trained this morning following his loan spell with Cambridge United, he will be available for selection for tomorrows trip to Southport." For whatever reason he wasn't selected. And as Coach John Trewick was named as one of the substitutes, it appeared that Coldicott was either not required or not thought to be fully fit.
Whatever the reasons for his recent non-appearances, there is little doubt Coldicott, who is said to be on a two year contract, has either been very unlucky with injuries or came to Edgar Street with underlying injury problems.
He is probably on around £500 per week. If he stays out of the squad much longer he will take over former Bull Steve Piearce's sicknote tab.
Season to date (stats do not incude friendlies): Possible starts (including time at Cambridge) 45, Actual starts 7 (3 at Cambridge), Bench 4 (1 at Cambridge), Missed 34.
Guy Ipoua:
There is little doubt that Guy Ipoua can show occassional flashes of brilliance on the pitch when selected but he, too, has been out of the squad more than in it this season to date.
Just like Coldicott, he played in the first four Conference games for the Bulls back in August and then was on the bench for the next one. However for reasons not fully revealed he became injuried and missed eight of the next nine games. He did start a game at Halifax but pulled up after twenty minutes or so.
He returned for the Mansfield LDV and the following three games on the bench then he started against Cambridge City in the FA Cup game. Eleven starts followed this game until he missed the Scarborough game on January 7th. Then a couple more appearances incuding one from the bench.
However since the end of January he hasn't been selected.
Last Thursday it was reported on the Official Site that the "current 'long termers' [Simon Travis, Guy Ipoua and Adam Stansfield] who've been out for a while are all getting better, and we should hopefully see them sometime next week."
However Ipoua was deemed to be fit on February 17th: "Wayne was pleased to confirm that both Nicky Nicolau and Guy Ipoua have recovered from their respective injuries. Guy Ipoua, has travelled with the party after training all week, but whether Guy will be involved or not I don't know."(from the Official Injury News)
"He's been out a few weeks, he might be in the squad, but it all depends on what the manager decides between now and the start of the game."
His non-appearances beg the question whether is he fit or not. If he is why isn't he on the bench. If he isn't fit what's still wrong with him?
Season to date; Possible starts 45, Actual starts 19, Bench 6. Missed 20.
Simon Travis:
Travis received horrible injuries whilst playing for England in the Four Nations Tournament last summer which has affected his starts for Hereford United this season.
He missed some 21 possible games for the Bulls before being selected on the bench for the LDV game against Port Vale. His first start was the following Saturday against Exeter. He then missed two games but played in the eleven subsequent games until a reported back injury sidelined him again. Last Thurday it was reported that he would hopefully be back in training "sometime next week."
Season to date: Possible starts 45, Actual starts 12, Bench 1, Missed 32.
Of the three players mentioned, there is little doubt that Travis is the one whose return to full fitness would be most welcome.
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