Boss delivers positive update on Long, Fortune, Reid and Yacob
ALBION’S preparations for next Wednesday’s trip to Everton have been boosted by a positive bulletin from the treatment room.
Shane Long (severe dead leg) and Marc-Antoine Fortune (hamstring) have rejoined training for the past two days, having both been sidelined for the last three games.
Steven Reid is also well on the road to recovery after suffering a minor set-back on his return from a fractured fibula against QPR eight days ago, which forced him to miss the Villa draw.
Claudio Yacob’s comeback from a seven-game hamstring injury lay-off against Villa was short-lived after he was forced to leave the field after just 36 minutes with a shoulder problem.
However, the Argentina international’s injury is not serious.
Head coach Steve Clarke said: “It remains a big disappointment that we’re not involved in the FA Cup this weekend, as it’s a competition we really wanted to do well in.
“But if there is one upside to having no game, it’s that it has given us a little break between matches and more time to hopefully get some of our injured players back.
“It’s been good to have both Shane and Marco back on the training field and I’m pleased to report that Steven is also progressing well.
“Claudio was in a bit of discomfort when he left the field on Saturday but the injury is not as bad as we first feared.
"He’s suffered some bruising to his collarbone which needs time to settle down. It’s certainly not a long-term problem.”