Thomas is still sidelined over Covid concerns
WES Thomas is refusing to train with the rest of Notts County’s squad after raising fears about the coronavirus pandemic.
Boss Neal Ardley told a press conference yesterday that the former Grimsby Town striker had informed the club of his concerns during a meeting earlier this week.
The forward, who has been absent from first team duty since November, has now been given a bespoke fitness programme to keep him fit but he will undertake it in isolation, while being overseen by club staff.
Ardley says the club are sympathetic to Thomas’s concerns but it is unlikely he will play for the team for the foreseeable future.
“Wes has come in to see us because he has concerns over Covid,” said Ardley.
“He has refused to train with the group amid safety fears at the moment.
“He has come to see us and tell us that he does not feel comfortable. As a club we need to look carefully at doing the right thing, given the pandemic is bigger than all of us. “We have accepted his request and are looking out for him and his concerns. “We have put a bespoke programme together to keep him away from the group for the time being. “When things do get a bit safer we will see if he feels like he can join back in with the group.
“It’s unfortunate but you have to respect his feelings about it and that’s what we are doing.” Thomas has played only four games this season but had impressed, He registered two assists in a 3-1 win over Altrincham in October.
However, his momentum was interrupted when there was a Covid19 outbreak in the squad and he was one of the players to contract the illness.
He did return for the 1-0 defeat against Aldershot Town in November but has not played or featured since.
Magpies fans had been eager to see Thomas return, given that he was a pivotal figure for Ardley’s side last season, scoring 12 goals as they finished third in the National League.
Ardley has not ruled out a return but says much of it depends on Thomas at a time when Covid-19 appears to be at least as big an issue as it has ever been.
“It’s going to be a personal thing for Wes in repsect of as and when he feels safe,” said Ardley.
“We will do the right thing by Wes, which is important, and we will make sure we look after his safety and that of his family.
“We will keep him ticking over and, hopefully, he will come back into the fold when the time is right.”
He does not feel comfortable. We have accepted his request and are looking out for him and his concerns
Neal Ardley