SWINDON Town coach Tommy Wright says there is “light at the end of the tunnel” for the club in terms of their injury crisis as several long-term absentees resumed training on Monday.

Zeki Fryers, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Jordan Lyden, Dion Conroy and Tyler Smith are all within a fortnight of potentially returning to Town’s matchday squad.

The group all suffered injuries before having their return date pushed back due to coming into contact with Jaiyesimi following his positive coronavirus test earlier this month.

Although none of the five are likely to be back for the weekend’s trip down the A420 to face Oxford United, Wright said the fact so many good players are close to being available again has given the whole group a lift ahead of Tuesday night’s contest at home to Lincoln City.

Wright said: “No one will be back for Lincoln, but most of our players were out training or running with the medical team, so there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for them.

“The likes of Zeki Fryers, Tyler Smith, Jordan Lyden – they were all out running and Diallang Jaiyesimi was doing a bit extra as well.

“Hopefully, within the next week or two they will all be back with the squad full time.

“It gives everyone a lift because they’re good players, and when you don’t have players like that available, you miss them.

“They’ll be a great and welcome addition to the squad when they’re back fit.”

In the short term, defender Jonathan Grounds will definitely miss Tuesday night’s game against Lincoln as he is suspended having picked up five yellow cards in League One.

Grounds’ absence paves the way for Tom Broadbent or Rob Hunt to come back into the defence as John Sheridan shuffles his pack once again.

Wright also suggested winger Jonny Smith may miss out as he continues to battle a problematic knee injury which has hampered him in recent games.

The Town coach would not confirm nor deny whether Smith would be able to take his place in the squad, but said the Bristol City loanee is one of a handful of players who will face a game-time decision in regard to their fitness.

Wright said: “Jonathan Grounds is out, he’s suspended so he’ll miss the game on Tuesday night.

“As far as injuries go, we’ve got one or two knocks that we’ll leave until the last minute to see if they’re ok to go.

“We’re hopeful they’re going to make it, but at this moment it’s probably 50-50 if they do. I won’t divulge many names, I don’t want to tell Mr Appleton who’s close to playing or not.

“But Jonny Smith has got a knock on his knee, he was carrying that on Saturday, so he’s one we’re not sure if he’ll be fit yet.”

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