Update on Connolly ahead of Sunderland test

Liam Rosenior provided an update on striker Aaron Connolly after he missed the Emirates FA Cup fixture against Birmingham City last time out.

The 23-year-old suffered a collision in our last Sky Bet Championship outing at home to Norwich City and missed the recent midweek trip to St Andrew’s.

“It is not good news for Aaron. He is going to have to be assessed again in another three weeks’ time,” said Rosenior.  

“He has got some damage to his AC joint in his shoulder and he’s still got symptoms of concussion and it is a really unfortunate one.”

Fellow Irishman James Furlong is also set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury early in debut against Birmingham.

The left-back delivered a great ball across for Jason Lokilo to score his first City goal in the test against the Blues, but Head Coach Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Furlong will be out of the team for a while.

“James Furlong is another one; he tweaked his medial knee in the game against Birmingham and it sums him up when he plays through it, so he’s going to be out for six weeks to two months.

“When I look at the injuries we have had, they’re not injuries from training or over training or under training, they’re impact injuries. Liam’s (Delap) knee, Jaden’s (Philogene) knee, James’ knee, Aaron looked like he was in a car crash; these are all things that happen during times like this.”

Focusing on Liam Delap, Rosenior revealed in his pre-match press conference that the striker has returned to parent club Manchester City for his rehabilitation as he continues to recover from a knee injury suffered on New Year’s Day against Sheffield Wednesday.

“Liam is okay. I just had a check up with him with Andrew Balderston. We miss his character around the place that is for sure,” said Rosenior.

“He’s back at Manchester City and doing his rehab there. We’re constantly getting updates on his wellbeing and I actually want to get him here if possible for certain days in the week.

“He is so close to the group and I know for a fact he is missing being here every day and we want to look after him, because until we get the prognosis he could still be a massive player for us at the end of the season.”

Although he will miss the trip to the Stadium of Light, it was confirmed in more positive news that Jaden Philogene will make his long awaited return in our upcoming home fixture against Millwall at the beginning of February.

“Next league game, Jaden Philogene will be fully fit,” revealed Rosenior.

“He is really close, but we cannot risk him in terms of the game tomorrow night, but he is flying in terms of the markers we’ve set and in terms of his rehab.

“He is the best winger in the league for me. No disrespect for Sunderland’s Jack Clarke as he’s outstanding. Jaden and Jack Clarke are the two best wingers in the league and Jaden for me is number one and we’ve missed him for nearly two months now.”

Speaking on the Tigers’ squad as a whole, Rosenior was full of praise for experienced striker Billy Sharp since his arrival on a free transfer and has spoken on what challenges the team will face against the Black Cats in-front of the Sky Sports’ cameras.

“What a guy to have for his experience,” when Rosenior was asked on Billy Sharp.

“Every time he has performed, his lay off for James for his cross for Jason’s goal was top quality. That’s what he brings. His pressing against Norwich was outstanding and he brings a level of experience and understanding that we didn’t have in the group and he could be huge for us whether he starts or he comes from the bench.

“I am trying to field an 11 and put a bench out. It is never going to be smooth sailing. If you take Jaden Philogene, Liam Delap, Aaron Connolly, Scott Twine has left us, which we didn’t know was going to happen, Cyrus Christie, Jean Michaël Seri and Adama Traoré are away, you take that out of any Championship squad, it is going to be hard.

"I will find out the character of my staff, the team and myself and what a great game to go to, away in-front of 40,000 people up against you and are we still brave enough to play?”