Diamond to be fit to face Chesterfield, but Sixfields date may be too soon for Zakuani

Manager Justin Edinburgh confirmed on Tuesday morning that the Scotsman will resume full training on Thursday and ‘will be okay’ to take on the Spireites, but admitted that clash could come too soon for Diamond’s fellow centre-half Gaby Zakuani.

The DR Congo international is training again after he suffered a hamstring strain on international duty at last month’s Africa Cup of Nations, but Edinburgh will not be taking any undue risks with him by rushing him back too soon.

Diamond left the field 49 minutes into the loss at the Bescot Stadium having taking a kick to a calf muscle, but the Town boss said: “Zander will be okay.

“He not trained yet this week but will train Thursday, so that would be good and I don’t think we will have any problem there.

“Gaby is coming along well and is out on the grass now, and we are hopeful he could be okay for Saturday, but what we have do is be mindful of making sure that when we get these players back, we need to keep them fit.

“So although Gaby is not far away, Saturday may be too soon, but he is progressing well and we are hopeful.”

There was also encouraging news on two more of Town’s current walking wounded in Brendan Moloney and Alex Revell, as well as an update on Sam Hoskins who is recovering from the operation he underwent after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury.

“Brendan is doing really well and is more active out on the grass now, so that is going well,” said Edinburgh.

“Revs is also doing well and recovering, and we are hoping it’ll be another week and he should be back.”

And on Hoskins, the Town boss said: “Sammy is back in the building now and the swelling is reducing in his knee.

“It is positive to see him around the place, and we are progressing in the right way in terms of injuries.”