Op setback for skipper Seamus
ACCRINGTON Stanley have been dealt a blow after it was revealed club captain Seamus Conneely has to undergo surgery on a troublesome groin hernia.
The procedure was yet to take place as the Observer went to print, but it was expected to happen at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.
The injury has meant the 29-year-old has made just two appearances since Stanley’s goalless draw at Cambridge United back on November 11, and he admits it’s been a difficult period.
“It’s frustrating to be out because the games are starting to come thick and fast at an important time of the season,” he told the club’s official website. “I’ve tried to come back and couple of times now and broken down, so it’s been decided that surgery on my groin is going to be the best option for me going forward.
“I’ve been told that it can take around four to eight weeks to rehabilitate, but I was speaking to Janoi [Donacien] who had a similar op and he was back within a month, so that’s my target.
“Hopefully I can get back out there with the lads and help push us towards our target of promotion.”
Accrington are back in league action on Saturday as they make the trip to Whaddon Road to take on Cheltenham Town.
Cheltenham are 14th in the League Two table, having won just nine of their 27 matches so far this season. The two teams have already met in the reverse fixture back in September, playing out a 1-1 draw.
It’s Stanley’s second game since some of the loan players they acquired went back to their parent clubs, and Reds boss John Coleman admits it was tough having to pick a squad.
“It hasn’t been easy for them with us having eight loanees and only being able to include five in the match day squad, but there have been some valuable contributions made to our season so far,” he said.