Adam Masina could feature for the first time this season at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, depending on how the game pans out, according to Vladimir Ivić.
The 26-year-old was injured in the pre-season friendly against Scunthorpe United but made the matchday squad for the first time on Tuesday night as the Head Coach prepares to slowly return his only senior left-back to the team.
“Adam Masina was on the bench in the previous game and we can use him now,” said Ivić. “Normally it depends on the game, the tactic or the moment when we will start to give him time to play. But yes, he’s ready, normally he can’t play a long period after a long injury so we will start to use him with less minutes and then every game we give him more minutes.”
Étienne Capoue has been in and out of the team but racked up more minutes against Brentford and could also be in contention for the weekend, which will help ease the blow of losing Domingos Quina as an option in midfield.
“Quina has a hamstring injury and they have told me he will be out for six to eight weeks,” confirmed the Head Coach.
“Capoue played the last game 25-30 minutes, he will be ready for the next game. He had a problem in the past two weeks and stayed out, now he’s returned and has started to work in the last 10 days with the team and will be ready for the game.”
Up front, leading goal scorer João Pedro will face a late fitness test ahead of the trip to West Yorkshire as Ivić is cautious of not risking the talent ahead of a busy schedule.
“We will see tomorrow how João Pedro will be and take the decision whether he’s ready or not for the next game,” he said. “The chance is 50/50 and in this moment we want to think about the health of the player. Because, if he’s not 100 per cent, then to take some kind of risk and then lose the player for a long period, I don’t want to do that.”
Elsewhere, Isaac Success and Craig Cathcart have both continued in their rehabilitation this week, while the players isolating due to COVID-19 remain unavailable.
Hive Live: Huddersfield Town v Watford
Hive Live will bring you an exclusive Adam Masina interview on our pre-match show from 2pm on Saturday. There will also be a host of special guests including Hall of Famer Paul Robinson on our final show before Christmas. Secure your match pass HERE to watch or listen to the game from kick-off at 3pm!
