Injured UA players expected back soon

FAYETTEVILLE — The injured University of Arkansas trio of Trevon Brazile, Jalen Graham and Keyon Menifield are questionable for Saturday’s home game against Missouri, but they are all closer to returning, Coach Eric Musselman said Thursday.

Brazile, out since Jan. 24 after tweaking a knee injury, has been doing light work in recent days.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that he’ll play this season as long as there’s no setbacks,” Musselman said prior to Thursday’s practice. “He’s been gradually working his way back into the fold. Hopefully he’ll be able to go through some of practice today.”

Brazile, a sophomore and the team’s leading rebounder with 6.5 per game, has missed the past 7 1/2 games.

Graham, a fifth-year senior, has been out the past two games since suffering a right shoulder injury during a 92-63 loss to Tennessee on Feb 14.

“Jalen Graham will not practice [Thursday], possibly will practice [today],” Musselman said. “Both guys I would say … are nearing a return. Whether that’s Saturday or Tuesday or the following Saturday — some time within the next three games — we would expect to have both of them back.”

Menifield, a sophomore, suffered a groin injury during the 7167 loss at Mississippi State last Saturday and missed Tuesday’s 78-71 road win at Texas A&M. Musselman said he is day to day and will go through what he can in practice the rest of the week.

The Razorbacks (13-13, 4-8 SEC) host to Missouri (8-18, 0-13 SEC) in an 11 a.m. game for their final Saturday home date of the season.