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Lloyd Isgrove has seen his season ended by another serious hamstring injury.
The winger suffered another muscle tear just 25 minutes into his return for the reserve team against Fleetwood last week.
Isgrove had been on the verge of a first team recall, four months after hobbling out of a 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers at the UniBol.
“He has suffered the same injury and that means he will be out for three to four months,” Ian Evatt confirmed.
“It shows you the harsh reality of football. He had worked tirelessly to get himself into top condition and post-op we were told there was a less than five per cent chance of the injury reoccurring but unfortunately that has happened. We all support him.
“It is the same hamstring, same area, same tendon, just slightly lower.
“When someone has been in the gym for three months and worked their socks off to get back in excellent shape – and he really was in excellent shape – he felt comfortable, but then one sprint and cross of a ball and it is that five per cent chance.”
Evatt has backed Isgrove to force his way back into Wanderers’ plans.
The former Southampton man signed a two-year deal last summer and has featured 18 times in all competitions for the Whites this term.
“It is really challenging for him, it has rocked him, and he is really upset,” the manager said.
“But he is a strong character and a really good person and he will get all the help he needs for the next three to four months and I have no doubt that he will be back stronger.
“He has had this journey before and really quickly having come out of it, he is heading down another one. But the group will support him, the players are really close now and the staff, Sharon and everyone else will give him everything he needs to make sure his mindset and mental health is good. If that is good you can do the work in the gym you need to get you back and reasy to play. I have no question marks with him.”
Wanderers will bring Gethin Jones back into the squad against Wigan after he rejoined the first team squad after a spell of compassionate leave.
Evatt says the defender is looking sharp once again.
“He has been great, brilliant, in fact,” he said. “Geth is a big part of this group, a big character and we all think the world of him.
“We all went to the funeral as a mark of respect for him and his wonderful mother and we have all been here to support him in whatever way possible.
“He has looked great since he came back and we are lucky to have him.
Kieran Lee could play some part in the squad at the DW Stadium after returning to training, now recovered from a heel operation.
“Kieran is doing very well,” Evatt said. “His heel around the wound was very sore and he was struggling to get his boots on but that has eased in the past week, got better and better, and I don’t think he will be far away.”
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