Gaffer provides detailed update on player availability

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Ben Garner has issued a detailed update on the injury front ahead of Saturday's trip to Fleetwood Town.

The manager will miss this weekend's game at Highbury Stadium following a positive COVID-19 test.

"Ryan [Inniss] is obviously suspended but other than that we haven't picked up anything else," confirmed Garner on his Zoom press conference on Friday afternoon. 

"Steven Sessegnon trained fully for the first time yesterday, but tomorrow will probably be too soon for him, I would say, with only two full days of training. He did part of the sessions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and he did a full session on Thursday, so he will certainly come back into the full reckoning next week. 

"Scott Fraser joins back up now after obviously welcoming his baby girl into the world. All being well with his partner and daughter we'll be welcoming Scott back into the squad for tomorrow."

Garner reported good progress in the rehabilitation programme of Chuks Aneke, who has been sidelined with a calf injury sustained during pre-season.

"Chuks is the only player currently injured now," revealed the boss. "We had a scan on Wednesday and the injury has healed which is fantastic. It's now about rehabilitating that calf and getting him up to full fitness so he's able to play. 

"It's been a difficult start for Chuks and he's had difficult moments throughout his career. First and foremost I want him to be in a good place as a person, which he looks like he is now. He's more positive and he can see the finishing line in sight. 

"We just want to get him back into the fold and back in a good place. Most importantly I think everyone needs to understand that these are people first and foremost. You get things thrown at players about being injured and that they don't care, but that's not the case at all. He's desperate to get back and get playing. 

"We're probably looking at a couple of weeks but we want to get that process right."
 

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