Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has confirmed that Derrick Abu and Stephen Dooley will be assessed before tomorrow night’s trip to Mansfield Town.
The Sulphurites have been one of the surprise packages in League Two this season, with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Colchester United seeing them move into the final play-off place.
Compared to the start of the season, when many predicted the Yorkshire team would be relegated, this is a far cry. They had lost five of their first seven games, so that prognosis seemed justified. However, they have won seven of their past ten games, putting them among the front-runners for promotion.
The team’s performance hasn’t decreased even after losing important players Luke Armstrong and Kayne Ramsay to Carlisle United and Charlton Athletic, respectively, during the last transfer window. They also managed an outstanding draw away at leaders Stockport County at the start of the month.
Weaver may face a few additional issues ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Field Mill, in addition to the long-term injuries he has to cope with involving first team regulars Mark Oxley and Rod McDonald. The 46-year-old stated before to the match that Stephen Dooley and Derrick Abu are both questionable.
Abu, who started the first two games for Harrogate, came from Championship promotion-chasers Southampton on a loan deal on transfer deadline day. Due to a serious inflammatory pelvic ailment and a hernia, Dooley lost a whole year of activity. He has experienced his fair share of injury worries. November marked his comeback to league action, and so far this season, he has made 15 appearances across all competitions.
When they are without any first team players, Mansfield is the last place anyone wants to go, especially since the Stags are vying for the championship. If one or both of them are declared ineligible for the match, Weaver will be certain that he has strong bodies he can draft in.
Though the Sulphurites are eager to qualify for the League Two play-offs for the first time in their history, it doesn’t sound like either of them will be out for an extended period of time. Fans will be watching with bated breath to see if the two are included in the matchday squad.
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