Who is available and fit to play?

[Guller Bull]

Delcroix?
CJER is he fit again or still out?
Cullen?
Benson - what is/was his injury.? Not seen a definitive answer.
Churlinov - Is he fit/unfit, on his way out?


Is Massengo nearing a start?

and the biggy - should we recall Wout in January?

[Roosterbooster]

Chirlinov has definitely played in Academy games
Massengo too
Haven't seen any of the others feature yet
I can't imagine Cullen is fit and not at least on the bench

And yes. I'd recall Wout. Our current strikers:
Foster, ill
Obafemi, injured
JRod, OK on his day
Amdouni, not a lone striker

[dandeclaret]

and the biggy - should we recall Wout in January?

To work on the Turnstiles? Sweep the stands? Or something else?

[Ashingtonclaret46]

"..........and the biggy - should we recall Wout in January?"

He went off injured on Friday night with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Why would he come back here when so many fans actually hate him with a vengeance?

[Guller Bull]

I was fishing with Wout but seriously what is happening with Benson?

I have probably missed it but not seen anything about what his injury is/was? I had really high hope for him (and Zaroury).

[FCBurnley]

It’s a secret

[Ampth7]

I have no idea regarding Benson, but am I right in saying Taylor is suspended for Everton? 5 bookings I think??

[dougcollins]

JRod, OK on his day

Yes, but when was it his day?

[randomclaret2]

Yes, but when was it his day?

Circa. 2013

[Guller Bull]

I have no idea regarding Benson, but am I right in saying Taylor is suspended for Everton? 5 bookings I think??

I think that is the case which is why I wondered about Delcroix.

[alwaysaclaret]

I think the situation with Manuel Benson is in most people's thought's I think I'm correct in saying he's last appearance was the cup game against Salford in which he got injured, think he actually came back from injury that game but not sure if he's attempted to make 1 other comeback since, quite honestly I've lost track with it, but it would be good if vk gave us an update regarding just where he's at and is he anywhere near fit or likely to figure anytime soon, because I don't think I'm alone in thinking he can give us something we're missing and a fit Benson could be vital in our survival.

[FCBurnley]

We appear to get way more than our fair share of injuries and have for some time. I guess that’s why we have a bigger squad but no information for fans is frustrating

[ChorltonCharlie]

We've been about average for injuries all season. It's a convenient excuse for some. We currently have 6. Sheff, Utd, Bournemouth, Everton and Crystal Palace all have more. The only one of our rivals with less is Forest.

[RVclaret]

We've been about average for injuries all season. It's a convenient excuse for some. We currently have 6. Sheff, Utd, Bournemouth, Everton and Crystal Palace all have more. The only one of our rivals with less is Forest.

That’s fair albeit the number of injuries doesn’t tell you about the length of absence, which player(s) and how key that player is to a team. For example us missing our top goalscorer and best player for 3 months = 1 injury, while Everton missing a back up left back for 2 weeks also = 1.

[GetIntoEm]

Benson is fit, has been for a month

[No Ney Never]

I used to enjoy being told he's touch and go, at least you knew it would be another 6 months.

[Kilson810]

I used to enjoy being told he's touch and go, at least you knew it would be another 6 months.

He's not 'Dyche fit'.

[Holtyclaret]

Last official word on Benson was that he’s building up his fitness with u21’s following injury so you’d imagine he’ll be back fully available before long.

[AlargeClaret]

I’d hope to see Benson back but appears to have fallen out of favour as does Zaroury . While injuries have certainly been an issue I’m really starting to wonder if either of these 2 have fallen out with the gaffer ? We’ve a hell of a lot of very “samey” style , positional and ability level players who will naturally get frustrated.

[IanMcL]

Sorry count me out. Rotten cough. I'll take my stand seat in Longside Upper as usual.

[mkmel]

Last official word on Benson was that he’s building up his fitness with u21’s following injury so you’d imagine he’ll be back fully available before long.

Has Benson actually played in any of the u21's recent games?

[Holtyclaret]

Has Benson actually played in any of the u21's recent games?

Didn’t think so but that was VK’s wording, think before wolves game.

[Westleigh]

Didn’t think so but that was VK’s wording, think before wolves game.

I thought he played in one about a month ago.

[alwaysaclaret]

I thought he played in one about a month ago.

So if he's not appeared in any competitive game since, one would have to assume he's either had a recurrence or a new injury, so if that's not been mentioned or reported by vk, we'd then have to assume he's out of favour.
Over the weekend there was 2 televised games which had bensonesque goals scored, I'm sure there will have been more should I bother to look further, at Premier league level should I add. So my point being if he is fit, it's one of the baffling situations why vk is not including him, because we have no one else of he's ability on the right hand side who can unlock the door, which is why it allows team's to double up on the likes of koleosho and now odobert, but would make it much harder to do that on both sides, which in turn would free up space for other forwards centrally for instance. All quite baffling from a vk point of view if in fact he is fit, he just doesn't seem to be ever playing our strongest 11.

[Nori1958]

So if he's not appeared in any competitive game since, one would have to assume he's either had a recurrence or a new injury, so if that's not been mentioned or reported by vk, we'd then have to assume he's out of favour.
Over the weekend there was 2 televised games which had bensonesque goals scored, I'm sure there will have been more should I bother to look further, at Premier league level should I add. So my point being if he is fit, it's one of the baffling situations why vk is not including him, because we have no one else of he's ability on the right hand side who can unlock the door, which is why it allows team's to double up on the likes of koleosho and now odobert, but would make it much harder to do that on both sides, which in turn would free up space for other forwards centrally for instance. All quite baffling from a vk point of view if in fact he is fit, he just doesn't seem to be ever playing our strongest 11.

I can't remember the home game where he came on as a sub, but he tried his signature shot a few times, but was well defended each time, which sort of nullifies his contribution

[Jakubs Tash]

I can't remember the home game where he came on as a sub, but he tried his signature shot a few times, but was well defended each time, which sort of nullifies his contribution

So that’s all Benson has to offer in your opinion?

[alwaysaclaret]

I can't remember the home game where he came on as a sub, but he tried his signature shot a few times, but was well defended each time, which sort of nullifies his contribution

That's a really good reason to just give up on it then.

[Nori1958]

That's a really good reason to just give up on it then.

Is it?
He has to work out a way to be effective against better defenders

[alwaysaclaret]

Is it?
He has to work out a way to be effective against better defenders

Perhaps so, but doesn't mean he's style is totally ineffective, and a) one game doesn't decide that, and b) he needs time on the pitch to work that out.

But a player of he's quality if fit, shouldn't be left out altogether in my opinion.

[Stockbrokerbelt]

VK said he was building up fitness & strength with the under 21’s & would take no chances.