Cats facing up to injury crisis as entire team is ruled out
Chris Coleman is without almost an entire team ahead of today’s lunchtime trip to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup third round.
Goalkeepers aside, Coleman has NINE players unavailable while there are serious doubts over FOUR others ahead of the Riverside clash (KO 1pm).
Coleman has already confirmed Jason Steele will start in goal after impressing in training, with Robbin Ruiter rested.
In terms of outfield players, Coleman is without full-back Adam Matthews (calf ), defender Lamine Kone (knee), Lynden Gooch (hamstring), Lee Cattermole (thigh), Darron Gibson (groin), Didier Ndong (ankle), Jack Rodwell (hamstring), Jonny Williams (shoulder) and Duncan Watmore (knee).
There are also serious doubts over midfielder Paddy McNair (groin), defender Marc Wilson (calf ), and striker Lewis Grabban (calf ) with the Bournemouth loanee missing the bulk of the festive fixtures.
Aiden McGeady (calf ) has trained, but will also be assessed by Coleman and his medical team. Meanwhile, Tony Pulis says there is a concern over Danish international Martin Braithwaite.
Pulis said: “Martin has a slight thigh problem and we’ll assess that. There has been a bit of flu about with a couple of the players, the doc will be keeping me up to date on how they are and we’ll see.
“Adam Clayton and Adam Forshaw have both been carrying injuries too. We’ll assess their progress too.” Possible SAFC team: Steele, Jones, O’Shea, Browning, Oviedo, Love, Honeyman, McManaman, McGeady, Vaughan, Maja.