Striker Collin Quaner and winger Gwion Edwards are expected to be back in the squad for Wednesday’s home game against Derby County but James Collins remains unavailable, Freddie Sears has joined the long-term injured and skipper Luke Chambers will be assessed before a decision is made on whether he’ll be involved.

On-loan Huddersfield frontman Quaner watched the Norwich match from the stands due to a hamstring injury but manager Paul Lambert expects the German to be in the squad against the Rams.

“Hopefully he’s going to be OK, he trained this morning,” he said. “Hopefully there’s no reaction to it and if there’s no reaction to it he’ll be in the squad.

Regarding centre-half Collins, who has also had a hamstring problem, Lambert added: “James is still feeling it a little bit, but it’s getting better. Maybe this one’s just a little bit early for him.

“We need to see how Luke Chambers is. We’ll have to wait and see, there are one or two little bumps and bruises and we’ll have to wait and see.

“If he can do it, I’m pretty sure Luke would do it. He felt good on Saturday, we waited until Sunday, he felt good and then a little bit towards the end of the game the foot started to feel painful again so we’ll have to wait to make a call right at the death whether he plays or not.”

Gwion Edwards has been out for a few weeks with a groin injury which required an injection but is now back in training.

“He’s been injured with a really frustrating groin problem and he trained this morning for the first time in a few weeks,” the Blues boss continued.

“Gwion will be in the squad but it’s still a bit early for him because he only trained this morning.”

Yesterday brought the news that Sears will be out for between nine and 12 months with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury, joining plenty of others who are out until next season.

“I’ve never been at a club where I’ve seen so many [long-term injuries],” Lambert reflected.

“I think that’s Freddie, ACL, Wardy, ACL, Ben Morris, ACL. Huwsy’s been out for over a year [also knee], Tom Adeyemi [achilles] for over a year.

“Ben Folami, his achilles is going to keep him out for seven or eight months, it’s incredible, it really is.

“I don’t know why it’s like that, but it’s a blow for Freddie, first and foremost and for the the football club it’s a huge, huge blow.

“It is [a chance for somebody else to step forward], but I can’t get away from it, for the lads who have got the long-term injuries it must be horrific for them.

“And Freddie, when I spoke to him yesterday, I would have expected that [reaction], to be fair. I never expected to come in yesterday morning and be told that he’s hurt his ACL. It’s a blow that.”

Lambert added: “He tried to run it off, we weren’t quite sure how bad it was, I don’t think Freddie did.

"Even yesterday I don’t think he did until the results came back from the scan. That was the big thing for me, I never expected that to happen to him.

“It’s an absolute blow, for him and the club. But nowadays ACLs, they’re not as bad as they used to be.

“There’s no other way to look at it, it’s going to be a blow for him and it’s going to be a long rehab.

“He’s been excellent, Freddie, he really has. The [six] goals he’s scored, his performances have been really high and it’s just a blow to lose him.”

Might he look at the free agent market to boost his striking options? “If somebody’s a free agent now there’s something wrong. I don’t know, I really don’t know. I’ll go with the lads I’ve got at the minute but you can never say never or know what’s round the corner.”

Photo: TWTD

TimmyH added 15:23 - Feb 12 Anybody getting the feeling we might only get a handful of starts (at best) from Collins.
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blueherts added 15:44 - Feb 12 I am guessing Huws is out for rest of season ?
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beornioblue added 16:09 - Feb 12 I thought Huws was making a comeback? Our injury list is laughable, if Edwards is back can it please be the pacey, tricky wideman from the first few games please!!!
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beornioblue added 16:10 - Feb 12 Anyone else thinking Danny Rowe shouldn't have been loaned out? Teddy has got to start tomorrow !!
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blueboy1981 added 16:33 - Feb 12 ...... as expected from Collins unfortunately - was always going to be the case from the moment he signed, such a shame because a fit Collins has so much to offer us, now and potentially in the future.
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KernewekBlue added 16:54 - Feb 12 The loss of Sears now just compounds a horrible, forgettable season. Edwards coming back is a boost but it seems fate is against us at every turn. I can't wait for this season to end and for the big rebuild to begin. COYB
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Karlosfandangal added 18:43 - Feb 12 Who cares anymore. Start to play the team we will be using next year as that gives them 15 matches to bond and then the pre season for the two new strikers that we will buy as boy do we need goal scorers. Let's hit the ground running next season not by December.
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blueboy1981 added 18:59 - Feb 12 ..... why do you think Huws was allowed to come to us so easily ? - for the reason we have seen ever since he arrived. Sicknote extrodinaire. Forget him. So much potential talent, but players have to have more than that, and want to get out there and do it. So do, some don't, and do whatever they can not to. Harsh maybe - but true.
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Cakeman added 19:09 - Feb 12 blueboy1981 I think you have made a very valid point. We need players who to be frank have the real grit and desire. Luke Chambers has his critics but no one can criticise his heart and I do not see that in one or two whose second home is our treatment room. That may be harsh too but what on earth can be that bad that we have not seen Huws or Adeyami for the best part of two years? David McGoldrick also fell into that category and only wanted to play in successful teams.

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ITFCsince73 added 20:09 - Feb 12 If Lambert is serious in his quest to turn our fortunes around long term. Then Chambo, Skuse and Jonas need to move on come May. Jonas will be gone regardless. Off as a free transfer no doubt offered 20k per week over 3 years. (Footys gone mad!). We need to offload any way we can Huws and Adeyami. How many millions have those 2 cost the club in fees, wages, and treatments? Both in the top 5 of the clubs worst ever signings. Along with Coke and the polish fella. Sadly Collins fits into that group also. I'll be shocked if he plays more than 1 more time this season. Another half a million in wasted wages. It was a huge gamble on him that was never going to succeed. He will retire at season end after taking a huge wedge from us we don't have.

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