Dean Keates has moved to allay fears over Shaun Pearson’s injury and is hopeful Wrexham’s captain could be fit to return to action in this weekend’s visit of Torquay United.
Pearson was forced off in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at fellow National League strugglers Chesterfield after a challenge with former Dragons’ striker Mike Fondop.
After the match Keates revealed the injury would require an X-ray, saying at the time:“Fondop has gone through on the far side right in front of the linesman. They end up getting a corner on the back of it, he (Fondop) stamped on the top of his (Pearson’s) foot and gradually it got worse.”
However, Keates added there had been no break of the bone, and whether Pearson could play in Saturday’s visit of the Seagulls was if he could manage the pain.
“It is not nice seeing it back, (there is) no attempt at the ball whatsoever, it is three yards from the linesman, they end up with a corner, when it is a blatant foul,” said Keates.
“There is a lot of bruising on it, it is settling down, so hopefully he will be fine for the weekend.
“It’s been X-rayed, there is no break it is just a case of how much he can deal with the pain, and if it settles down over the next 72 hours.”
Keates has already lost left-back James Jennings to a potentially season ending knee injury following a challenge the previous week at home against Dagenham & Redbridge.
And the Dragons boss was delighted to have his skipper available for the remainder of the campaign, adding: “He is captain of the football club and captain for a reason. He is a voice, he is a leader, everybody can see he has been getting back to the Shaun Pearson of old and at his best over the last few games and hence the reason we’ve been keeping clean sheets.
“For him to be available is a massive lift for us.”
New loan signing Tyler Garratt made his Dragons debut in the loss at Chesterfield in place of Jennings, while fellow loan signing Jordan Thompson has been employed at right-back for the last two outings after Mark Carrington suffered a knock in the 2-0 win at Harrogate a fortnight ago.
Akil Wright, who was seen being put through his paces ahead of the clash last Saturday at the Proact Stadium, is continuing his comeback from a hernia injury, but Keates felt the clash with Torquay was early for the pair.
Keates added: “Akil is not far off, would I say he will be involved this weekend, no.
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“Hopefully we will have a friendly game behind closed doors next week so he will be pushed into that and maybe a few more get some minutes in that game too.
“Hopefully over the next seven to 10 days we won’t be far off having a full strength squad.”
Keates continued: “For Carra (Carrington) this weekend is maybe a little bit too soon, maybe we are looking at Bromley.”
