"Right-back James O'Connor picked up a slight quad strain in Saturday's defeat at Newcastle."He didn't train on Monday and just had treatment," said Dickens."He too might train today, if not Wednesday. But he should be okay for Saturday. It's only a minor strain."
Centre-back Adam Lockwood (broken foot) sees his specialist on Saturday and may be given the go-ahead to remove the walking boot he has worn since picking up the injury."He's working very hard in the gym on his upper-body exercises," said Dickens. "You are still probably looking at him being out another four weeks."
Striker Steve Brooker is continuing his rehab following Achilles tendon surgery and Dickens reports no adverse reaction.Skipper Brian Stock, currently recovering from an ankle operation that will keep him out until the New Year, has had to put his rehab on hold after contacting a virus."He's going to be off for a few days so as not to spread it to any of the other players," said Dickens.
Most of the players and backroom staff were due to have their annual flu jab this afternoon."It's not compulsory, but the majority of people have it done," said Dickens."You can get some very minor symptoms for 24 hours but that's it and the players will all be okay to train on Thursday."Dickens said that he expected the club doctor to update the players on the swine flu outbreak and discuss such matters as contingency plans and the mass vaccination programme.