Frankie Okoronkwo injury latest + positive update given on Doncaster Rovers midfielder
Doncaster Rovers have received good news on midfielder Ben Close.
The 29-year-old has not played since going off injured away at Stockport County in late December. Close suffered a suspected punctured lung at Edgeley Park, and even had to have a short stay in hospital over the festive period.
Last week manager Grant McCann admitted Close's situation was up-in-the-air amid uncertainties over the nature of the injury but has now provided a far more rosy picture: "Ben is back training which is pleasing. He's had some good news and has managed to kick on from the episode he had.
"He had his first session with us today (Thursday) so we'll give him a bit of time to get up to speed. We don't need to rush him back.
"He'll probably need four or five sessions to be considered. He's been working hard in the gym and back out on the pitches today he looked like he'd never been away.
"It's good to have him out there."
There's also positive news on Everton loanee Frankie Okoronkwo, who departed last week's win at AFC Wimbledon early in the second half.
"Frankie's been fine," McCann confirmed. "It was more of a cramp issue. I think what happened was that he had limited game time at Lincoln (previous loan club) and then came straight into our team with the cup games and then starting (at Wimbledon) so I think it was just an accumulation of training and minutes. So it's maybe just about him getting used to that but he's trained all week."
McCann also re-iterated the plan is to re-send Bobby Faulkner back to Harrogate on loan once he fully recovers from his injury lay-off.
Rovers host Wigan Athletic this Saturday hoping to make it back-to-back league wins for the first time since September.