Coventry City manager Mark Robins has provided an update on the status of injured strikers Ellis Simms and Norman Bassette ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sunderland. Following Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss to Derby County at the CBS Arena, Robins confirmed that both players remain sidelined, leaving the Sky Blues without their key attacking options. Simms missed the midweek match due to a foot injury, having also been absent for Coventry’s 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough the previous weekend. Bassette, on the other hand, was ruled out after suffering an elbow to the head, leaving him with a lump and possible whiplash. His injury meant he couldn’t feature against Derby.
Robins acknowledged the significant blow of missing both players, especially in the defeat to Derby, where Coventry’s performance fell short of expectations. When asked for an update on Simms’ recovery, Robins said there was no major progress, adding that it would depend on the striker’s ability to manage the pain. “It’s just something that’s down to him and his management of the pain, so we have to wait and see,” Robins explained. The manager also revealed more details about Bassette’s condition, saying the young striker had a stiff neck and a large lump, though he hoped the injury would improve in time for the weekend’s match.
Robins also discussed the incident that led to Bassette’s injury, which occurred during Coventry’s match against Middlesbrough. Video footage showed Boro defender George Edmundson making contact with Bassette’s head in an aerial challenge, and Robins was asked whether the club had made any formal representations to the league. However, the manager seemed doubtful about any retrospective action being taken, as the incident had already been dealt with on the day. “I don’t know what they can do because they dealt with it on the day. Doesn’t appear they can do anything,” he said.
Regarding Bassette’s recovery, Robins confirmed that the young striker may be following concussion protocols due to the potential whiplash injury. “He’s got a stiff neck, so it could be a whiplash type injury,” Robins said, adding that he was hopeful the player would recover in time for the trip to Sunderland, emphasizing the need for “fresh legs” as the team prepares for another challenging match.
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