CROCKED Colby Bishop appears to have “got away lightly” with his injury, according to Worcester City manager Carl Heeley.
After Bishop was carried off on a stretcher in City’s FA Trophy defeat at York City earlier this month, Heeley feared the young striker may have suffered “serious” knee ligament damage.
However, he said the 20-year-old, who has scored seven goals this season, remained in “positive” spirits.
And City’s boss admitted he was hopeful of getting Bishop back into a “light training” session before being struck down with "a sickness bug".
“Colby has been ill,” said Heeley after Worcester’s 0-0 draw against Kidderminster Harriers at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground on Boxing Day.
“We were hoping to get him back into some light training, but he has gone down with a sickness bug and been ill for a couple of days.
“I told him to stay away, hopefully give him a week and we will see where he is.”
Heeley said he understands the ex-Notts County youngster, who joined City in the summer, had been able to do some “static cycle work" and “leg extensions”.
“I haven’t seen Colby to make an assessment, but he is quite positive and he knows his body better than anybody else,” he continued.
“So fingers crossed he has rode his luck and got away lightly.”
With a “brighter outlook” for injured Bishop, Heeley also seems to have ruled out dipping into the loan market to bolster his attack.
“At the moment, we have got numbers so we will go with what we have got for the time being,” he added.
However, there are concerns over the fitness of captain Danny Jackman who was replaced on 34 minutes after getting a “knee in the back”.
Centre-back Tom Sharpe (knee) missed the Boxing Day game, while winger Micah Evans (calf) failed a late fitness test.
But Heeley was delighted to see experienced defender James Chambers on the pitch for the first time since September.
The 36-year-old came on for forward Jordan Murphy shortly after centre-half Sam Oji was brandished a straight red card for a late tackle on James McQuilkin.
Oji has been handed a three-match ban, but will be available for 16th placed City’s visit to Aggborough on New Year's Day (3pm).
“We changed the shape and got James on there, just for his experience and know-how,” Heeley said.
“I had to sacrifice a wide player for that, but it worked as he stepped in and looked like he had not been away when he has been out for a number of months.
“It is great to have him back out on the pitch.
“Once it got evened up (after Ryan Croasdale got sent off), we had another spell.
“But overall I think both sets of players and managers will be happy to take a point from the game.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here