Johannes Hoff Thorup offers Anis Ben Slimane fitness update

Due to a hamstring injury, the midfielder for Sheffield United, who is on loan, was unable to play for City against

Swansea.

After making a big impression on the Canaries in their triumph over Coventry, his absence was a huge setback. In the

lead-up to City’s match against Watford, Slimane hasn’t trained as much as he had intended to because Thorup is

assessing his role in front of a full Championship schedule.

“We hoped to have him back on the pitch on Monday when we started, but that wasn’t the case,” Thorup stated. “We

will decide late on whether or not he will participate tomorrow.

He has spent some time outside and on the grass, but we still need to review the schedule and choose the best course

of action for us because tomorrow is crucial, and we have three games in a row starting the week following the Derby

game.

“We also have to have that in mind.”

Thorup clarified Tony Springett’s circumstances and provided an update on the status of individuals who were also

sidelined. The young player hasn’t played since the first preseason games.

“It is identical. We have a few weeks left with these people. It appears that Lungi will likely return first. Fassnacht

will also be gone for a few weeks, along with Barnesy, who will still be absent.

“There is also Tony Springett, about whom we don’t talk too much. He has a longer contract and, I believe, won’t be

out until after Christmas.

“I have a back ailment. Although they have attempted to manage it without surgery thus far, surgery may be

necessary at some point. Due to a severe back ailment, he won’t be returning until after Christmas.

“If he would have been a first-team option, that’s hard to say.” He wasn’t around all that often. It was evident to me

that he had participated in a few games and played at the very top levels. It’s challenging to see how close he is to the

group now, even though we had to with him.”