Steve Cotterill spoke to the press ahead of Saturday's trip to Burton Albion.
Salop head into the fixture looking to earn a positive result after a disappointing evening at Montgomery Waters Meadow last Tuesday night.
The evening fixture against Portsmouth saw David Davis exit the pitch with an ankle injury and Josh Vela was dismissed for a challenge just after the half-hour mark.
Cotterill provided updates on both players and praised Tyrese Fornah for getting back to fitness so he could play regularly when called upon.
On David Davis’ injury:
“He’s had a scan on his ankle and it definitely doesn’t look good. He’s got an appointment to see a specialist down in London next week but my gut feeling is that he’ll probably be out for the rest of the season now.”
On Josh Vela’s red card:
“We’re not going to appeal it and not because I think it’s a bad challenge. Because of some of the tackles we’ve had this season where we’ve had someone sent off, I don’t think we’re going to get it [overturned] because of the speed Josh went into it. I don’t think he should be penalised for the speed but the way he went into it, I think [appealing] it would be a waste of time.”
On the game:
“It isn’t too bad I suppose, it’s one of our more local journeys which I think is a little bit of a bonus considering what we’ve done recently and what we’ve got to come. [I’ve seen] enough of Burton, I think they’ve come on as the season has developed and I think Jimmy [Floyd Hasselbaink] has done a good job there – I get on well with Jim – so I’m pleased for him and I’m pleased for Burton Albion that they’re doing well.”
“We’ve done a little bit [of preparation] this morning – obviously we’ve got to keep that light this morning – and we’ll do a little bit tomorrow and finish off but we’ve done enough today so the lads had a good comprehension of what we'll be doing in and out of possession.”
On Tyrese Fornah:
“[He’s improved his] fitness. I said before he came in that we would need to make sure we get him up to speed and that was the biggest thing. It doesn’t matter how good a player you are, and what I mean by that is you can do as much as you can in training but you need to play those games and that’s what I’ve been pleased about. I think we manage all our youngsters carefully so I think what you have to do is allow mistakes in youngsters. The biggest thing you can give them is game time – that’s the biggest thing you can give them – but they have to show enough in training to be able to gain that game time.”
