[h=3]Oscar issues Macca warning as Albion striker closes in on a first team comeback[/h]10:42am Friday 4th April 2014 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Craig Mackail-Smith is part of Albion's travelling party for the Barnsley and Leicester games.
Albion head coach Oscar Garcia has warned not to expect too much of Craig Mackail-Smith in his comeback to first team contention after more than a year out through injury.
The striker will be part of a 20-strong squad staying up at St George's Park in-between the trips to Barnsley tomorrow and Leicester three days later.
Mackail-Smith scored twice for the development team against Charlton at the Amex on Monday. It was his first 90 minutes since suffering long-term Achilles and ankle injuries.
Oscar said: "He's getting fitter and fitter. He did well with the DS but we can't forget he hasn't played for more than a year. We can put a lot of pressure on him.
"But now he's available for selection. It depends on the game but I know his abilities and for sure he can help us a lot in the last period of the season."
Rohan Ince, who suffered a dead leg at Blackburn on Tuesday, is expected to be in the squad but Will Buckley (hamstring) Andrea Orlandi (thigh), Kemy Agustien (calf) and Will Hoskins (calf) all remain sidelined.
Oscar said of Hoskins, who has also been out for more than a year following knee surgery: "He is training with the physios, not us. It's too early for this game."
The thigh injury sustained by Orlandi at Millwall on March 1 is still not showing signs of clearing up.
Original article
Albion head coach Oscar Garcia has warned not to expect too much of Craig Mackail-Smith in his comeback to first team contention after more than a year out through injury.
The striker will be part of a 20-strong squad staying up at St George's Park in-between the trips to Barnsley tomorrow and Leicester three days later.
Mackail-Smith scored twice for the development team against Charlton at the Amex on Monday. It was his first 90 minutes since suffering long-term Achilles and ankle injuries.
Oscar said: "He's getting fitter and fitter. He did well with the DS but we can't forget he hasn't played for more than a year. We can put a lot of pressure on him.
"But now he's available for selection. It depends on the game but I know his abilities and for sure he can help us a lot in the last period of the season."
Rohan Ince, who suffered a dead leg at Blackburn on Tuesday, is expected to be in the squad but Will Buckley (hamstring) Andrea Orlandi (thigh), Kemy Agustien (calf) and Will Hoskins (calf) all remain sidelined.
Oscar said of Hoskins, who has also been out for more than a year following knee surgery: "He is training with the physios, not us. It's too early for this game."
The thigh injury sustained by Orlandi at Millwall on March 1 is still not showing signs of clearing up.
Original article