Still no end to wait for Roberts’ Notts return
NEAL Ardley admits he has “no idea” when Callum Roberts will be back for Notts County as the winger attempts to return from injury.
The former Newcastle United winger underwent surgery to strengthen his stomach lining as the club hoped to put an end to issues with inflammation in his groin and hip.
But despite being back in rehabilitation, he is yet to return to full training. Notts are eager to see the winger back in action and have missed his creative spark.
However, in his latest update, Ardley said he was still unable to put a timescale on when Roberts may be available again.
Asked when Notts could expect the wide man to be back in action, Magpies boss Ardley said: “I’ve got no idea. “Honestly, I will tell you if I did. “It’s kind of two steps forward and one step back a little bit and vice versa.
“The moment we start getting him on the training pitch, consistently training and we don’t have any issues at that time, then I’ll get my hopes up.”
Roberts was a revelation for Notts last season after arriving from Blyth Spartans for a nominal fee and played an integral role as they reached the National League playoffs.
He has played six games so far this term with his last appearance for the club coming in their sensational 3-2 win at Chesterfield in November.
The winger’s unavailability has had a detrimental impact on the goals-for column this season, as has Kristian Dennis’ exit to St Mirren in the summer, plus Wes Thomas’ absence.
Ardley admitted he is trying to find a way of improving Notts’ ruthlessness but admitted the trio have been a big miss, considering the amount of goals they scored between them last term.
“I look at everything that we’re trying to do and we want to try and get on a roll and start putting the ball in the back of the net more regularly,” he said.
“That part of the game is something that we’ve worked really hard on the last few weeks.
“But without having Wes (Thomas) all season, without having Callum Roberts virtually all of the season and losing Kristian Dennis, you’re kind of taking 35 to 40 goals out of the team there.
“And although we’ve signed some really good players, it would be remiss of me to expect them to come in and be banging in the same volume of goals as those players I’ve mentioned.
“That’s probably where we’re just trying to improve that area.”