TYE ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Potters boss O’neill provides encouraging update on young striker Campbell’s recovery progress

TYRESE Campbell is making reassuring progress as he recovers from a terrible knee injury that derailed his season.

Michael O’neill has been conservative about Campbell’s recovery since he was forced off in December - particularly as the striker’s early rehabilitation was not helped by a positive Covid test nor the extra difficulties presented by the pandemic.

But Campbell, pictured, was in the stands as Stoke beat Derby before the international break and, while Stoke nor himself are putting a date on any comeback, the latest update is far more positive.

O’neill said: “Tye’s progress as a player was evident for everyone to see in the early part of the season. Obviously with the form he was in prior to his injury, the most pleasing thing for me was that he had adapted to a new position.

“I think he recognises that playing as a wide striker gives him a lot of opportunities either on the right or the left.

“The injury has curtailed his progress and it was very cruel, the nature of it, an innocuous situation in the game.

“His progress since then has been very good. It’s a difficult injury, it’s not a straightforward injury, and he’s working really hard.

“He’s in good hands with the medical team and things are a lot more positive.

“At the start we had to manage him through that process. It is difficult for any young player to suffer an injury like that and be told your season is over.

“But he’s worked extremely hard and we hope he’ll be back fit with us as soon as possible, albeit that the timeline on that is not before the end of the season. We just have to manage him so that we get him back as quickly as possible.”

January signing Alfie Doughty, meanwhile, has been training with his new teammates for the first time as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

“He’s worked extremely hard,” said O’neill.

“We knew when we took Alfie that realistically we were looking at next season so there is a possibility that we could fast track that.

“People might ask why you’ve signed a player who is injured but the reason is that Alfie was in a contractual situation that meant if we didn’t do the deal in January we wouldn’t have got it done. He would have gone elsewhere in the summer. It was important we made that decision.

“He’s a young player but he’s what you’re looking for, extremely fast, direct, a good size as well.

“When I looked at him at Charlton he played in a number of positions, leftback at times, left wing, left side of midfield and times on the right coming in on his left side.

“Ultimately I think he’ll be a left sided attacking player for us. He’ll give us an option at left wing-back as well if we play with three at the back. He gives us a lot of options out there and that versatility was one of the attractions to bring him to the club.

“I’m quite excited about him because I look at his physical attributes and he’s already proven he can deal with the Championship. I think he can add a new dimension to the team as well.”