Mark Robins has confirmed that Coventry City midfielders Jamie Allen and Callum O’Hare both made a return to full contact training this week.
Allen has been out since the close season when he suffered a heart scare while O’Hare has not kicked a ball in anger since he ruptured an ACL on Boxing Day. But the midfield pair took a huge step forwards in their rehabilitation from their respective issues this week when they returned to the first team mix at Ryton.
“Jamie’s on the grass and looking good,” confirmed the Sky Blues manager, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Friday night’s match at Hull.
“He’s working as you would expect him to work, so that’s good. It’s brilliant to have him back – a real lift for everybody. And Callum O’Hare, likewise. He’s been involved this week and has been joining in with the main group now.”
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Asked about the next step for the two players, whether that’s the physical side of getting up to speed as well as the mental hurdles associated with returning from their respective issues in terms of confidence to go into tackles for O’Hare and Allen knowing in his head that he’s OK, Robins said: “Well there is all that, obviously, but they’re in a good place. The pair of them are in a really good place. I’m happy with what I’m seeing. I think they’re happy with where they are. It will take however long it takes for them to get back.”
Asked if Allen is ahead of O’Hare in terms of their return, he added: “Jamie’s not injured and he’s never been injured so by definition he’s ahead of Callum. But like I said, I don’t want to put time scales on it because I think it’s unfair and the players will be ready when they’re ready, both physically and psychologically.”
