Will Nightingale returns to Ross County training as on-loan Wimbledon defender closes in on Staggies comeback against Hibernian after hamstring tear
Will Nightingale is back in contention for Ross County as they prepare to face HIbernian this weekend.
It had been feared that the defender would miss the remainder of the season after tearing his hamstring in early February, shortly after extending his loan from Wimbledon until the end of the campaign.
However, Staggies interim manager Don Cowie has confirmed that the 28-year-old, who made 22 appearances for County before sustaining his injury, has returned to training.
He is expected to be in contention to play against Hibernian in Dingwall this weekend, then, and Cowie would have no issues throwing him straight in at the deep end if Nightingale can show
in training that he is ready.
“Will Nightingale was back from Wimbledon and training this morning,” Cowie explained.
“He’s had a long lay-off and I haven’t had his services since I came into this role, but it is great to have him back going into the last four league games.
“He has a fantastic attitude and character, a great person to have about the place, a lot of experience and is very physical and imposing.
“Hopefully he can have a good week’s training and then it becomes a decision as to whether it is too soon or not.
“I think it is more difficult midway through the season and you’re wanting to get up to fitness. You might get through the first and second games and then the lull comes when playing catch-up.
“This close to the end of the season, I don’t think there’s any time for that.
“It’s a case of dealing with the game as it comes and any personnel we feel is ready to play, there’s no real gamble because there’s nothing beyond the next few weeks.”
Cowie also confirmed that goalkeeper George Wickens, who missed last weekend’s trip to Livingston, is training again and should be in the squad to take on Hibs.
Livingston was the first time since taking charge of the side that Cowie has named an unchanged starting 11, looking to build on the momentum of beating Rangers in their previous match.
He has made no guarantees that he will plump for the same line-up for a third game in-a-row, though, admitting he needs to use his squad to get the best out of his team on any given matchday.
“Probably last weekend was the first time I made the decision not to change the starting 11,” Cowie added.
“On the back of the Rangers game, I felt confident the same personnel could get the result we needed at Livingston.
“It didn’t work out, such is football – it changes very quickly.
“I look at the next game and everyone comes into the thinking on who can play. When you have a strong squad, you've got to try to utilise that.”
