Dale Stephens / Squad Update

[7:18]

Doesn't look good, we are going to miss him!

http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/alb...sure_when_midfielder_will_be_back_for_Albion/

Albion boss Sami Hyypia is in the dark about when Dale Stephens will be available to increase his midfield options.

The January signing from Charlton has been sidelined since suffering ankle ligament damage against Yeovil at the Amex in April.

Hyypia said: "It's very difficult for me to say when he will be fit, because the medical department is not sure either how long it's going to take.

"It can go quickly and it can go well when he starts to do more and more but he can have setbacks as well.

"We need to go day by day, week to week. He has quality and he will add his quality to the squad when he's fit. Hopefully that will happen soon."

Fellow midfielder Nzuzi Toko is unlikely to start Saturday's first game of the season at home to Sheffield Wednesday after missing most of pre-season with a swollen knee.

The Congolese summer signing featured in a 1-1 friendly draw for the under 21s against Chelsea on Tuesday.

Hyypia said: "I think he needs minutes on the pitch. When you are out for part of pre-season it's not a good thing and he needs to get his fitness and his minutes on the pitch.

"I don't know yet how the squad is going to look on Saturday, which players are in and which players are out, but he definitely needs his minutes on the pitch now."

Goalkeeper David Stockdale also played in the Chelsea match ahead of his debut against Sheffield.

Stockdale revealed to The Argus last Saturday that he wanted extra game time to compensate for his inactivity during the close season with former club Fulham.

 

[El Turi]

All thanks to a horrible tackle by some Yeovil thug who didn't even get sent off for it.

 

[algie]

All thanks to a horrible tackle by some Yeovil thug who didn't even get sent off for it.

I was at that game but don't remember the challenge. Is it on Youtube?

 

[Icy Gull]

I thought Yeovil played the game in a very sportsmanlike way, didn't we clap them off at the end?

I hope this quote loses something in translation because if that's what the medical team are saying it sounds like they are a bit clueless. I could have told them that on the day of the injury

Hyypia said: "It's very difficult for me to say when he will be fit, because the medical department is not sure either how long it's going to take.

"It can go quickly and it can go well when he starts to do more and more but he can have setbacks

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Well, all ready and prepared for the big kickoff then!

 

[Springal]

Excuses started already... It's ok though, our bank balance is looking good!

 

[Vicar!]

Odd I spoke to Dale yesterday and he is hoping to be back in around four weeks. He is still in the Gym but has yet to work outside at this stage.

 

[shaolinpunk]

I thought Yeovil played the game in a very sportsmanlike way, didn't we clap them off at the end?

Yep. They needed to win to have any chance of staying up and gave it a ruddy good go. After the game they went to thank their fans for their support and when they were making their way back to go down the tunnel they got clapped off by the Amex faithful. Their manager seemed pretty moved when he gave his post-match comments

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

Yep. They needed to win to have any chance of staying up and gave it a ruddy good go. After the game they went to thank their fans for their support and when they were making their way back to go down the tunnel they got clapped off by the Amex faithful. Their manager seemed pretty moved when he gave his post-match comments

All true, but is was still a shocking tackle on Stephens.