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GIO BOOST FOR BLUES

Posted on: Fri 10 Apr 2009

Giovani looks set to return to action for Town against Doncaster after injury, with schoolboy Connor Wickham starting the game on the bench.

The on loan from Tottenham Gio was forced off during the first-half of Blues' goalless draw with Watford last month with a groin injury and only returned to training at the start of the week after being away on international duty with Mexico.

The groin injury kept him out World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras but he's had no reaction since returning to training with Blues and is included in the squad for the visit from Doncaster.

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Connor is also in the squad after being recalled from England U16 duty at the start of the week and Town boss Jim Magilton has confirmed he will be on the bench. If he features, he will become the youngest ever Blue, beating Jason Dozzell's record of 16 years and 57 days set against Coventry on February 4, 1984.

Connor turned 16 on March 31 and has until the end of the campaign to become a record breaker. Dozzell also holds the record as Town' youngster ever goalscorer after finding the net on his debut.

Jon Walters is back in contention after recovering from ankle ligament damage while David Wright has overcome a hamstring problem that sidelined him against Sheffield United last week.

Skipper Gareth McAuley is likely to miss out on Saturday's game after still being hindered by a hamstring problem but could be fit for Monday's visit to Bristol City while Jon Stead (back) and Moritz Volz (groin) are further concerns for Blues.

While boss Jim concedes the Play-Off places now look beyond the team this season, he promises no let up between now and the end of the campaign.

"There is no way I will let the season drift away," he says. "Every fan of this Football Club deserves 100 per cent from every player that pulls on a blue and white shirt and they will get that right up until the last ball has been kicked this year.

"It's my job to make sure that happens and if I see someone dropping below the standards I expect, I will change the personnel. That said, the players here are more disappointed than anyone that we are not higher up the table than we are.

"We have five tough games remaining, starting with Doncaster and we know what they are capable of after they beat us at their place earlier this season.

"They had an outstanding run a while back which took them away from the relegation places and did so playing an attractive brand of football. Recently results have gone against them so I'm sure they will want to end that while we are looking to finish the season as strongly as possible and put down a marker for next year.

"We've got Gio back and we've missed him. He provided a spark when he came in and has the ability to unlock the door and maybe we have missed a player like that this season.

"Having Jon Walters back is a big bonus for us as well. We expected him to be out for the season when he had the ankle injury at Wolves but the specialist said he didn't need an operation and Jon has that wonderful attribute in that he is a quick healer.

"We will take a final look at Jon Stead, Gareth and Moritz before confirming things but Connor will be involved. He's been scoring goals lately and won't be phased by the step up but he have to remember that he's still just a boy, even though he doesn't look it."

Doncaster have lost their last four games and will be without Brian Stock, James Coppinger and James O'Connor.

Tickets for Saturday's game are still available. Click on the ticket page of the Club website for full details.

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Giovani in action against Burnley
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