Town manager Roy Keane says a number of his players are carrying knocks ahead of Boxing Day’s home game against Watford, but the Blues boss refused to divulge which members of his squad might not be fit enough to face the Hornets.

Keane said: “There are one or two players carrying knocks but I’m certainly not going to reveal who they are. We’ve had them wrapped in cotton wool over the last few days and we’ll do the same today.

“One or two lads have got injuries which they’ve been carrying for a month or two and we’ll have to look after them over the next week.”

The Town boss says that with fixtures coming thick and fast over Christmas some of his fringe players are likely to get an opportunity: “I’m not looking too far ahead after the game against Watford, but the squad will certainly come into it, more so after the Watford game.

“Some of our players physically aren’t able to play two games in three days, it’s literally impossible. There will probably be more changes after the Watford game.

“Watford is our priority, I’m not kidding myself and looking too far ahead, but after that there will have to be changes.”

Midfielder Luke Hyam is on the way back after his hamstring problem and could be involved over the Christmas period despite a planned reserve appearance being scuppered earlier this week when the weather put paid to a reserves friendly against Crystal Palace.

Gareth McAuley is making progress after his achilles surgery and will be back in January but probably not in time for the Chelsea and Arsenal cup-ties early in the month.

Keane doesn’t expect Sunday’s match to be under any threat of postponement with the pitch currently under cover: “I spoke to the groundsman this morning and he’s fairly confident that the game will go ahead. Let’s put it this way, if we got through last week, this one should be a doddle!”

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

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