Fleetwood Town 'gutted' over Glenn Whelan injury blow

The Irishman picked up an Achilles injury in the 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic last Saturday and faces a prolonged period out.

The 37-year-old midfielder is a definite absentee for tomorrow’s trip to Oxford United but Wiles is hopeful that Charlie Mulgrew and Sam Finley, who both had to be withdrawn in the second half of Tuesday’s stalemate against Northampton Town, will be fit.

Fleetwood’s interim boss said: “We’re monitoring how they are recovering from the niggles that they’ve picked up.

“We’ve had some feedback from Glenn’s scan and he is going to be a bit longer than expected. That’s one we’re going to have to monitor.

“He’s going to be in a boot for six weeks and then it’s about rehabilitation from there.

“Hopefully we’ll see him again before the end of the season. It’s one we’re gutted with and so is he.

“We’ve just got to make sure we give him the best rehab we can to give him the best chance of returning before the end of the season.

“As for Charlie and Sam, it’s a similar message really. We’re just going to have to see how they are in the next couple of days, hopefully for selection on Saturday.”

Wiles is still searching for his first win after five games in charge, though he picked up his first points with two draws over the past week.

And although the Cod Army have been lacking in front of goal, they have found resilience and solidity in defence, with Janoi Donacien slotting in at right-back since arriving on loan from Ipswich Town.

Wiles, now in his fourth week in the role, said at first that he favoured an open and expansive game. But with goals proving hard to come by, he admits to a change of approach.

He said: “There is an identity in the way we want to play, but as much as I want to play attacking football I’ve learned quickly that we’ve got to make sure we have that solidity at the back.

“With the likes of JD (Donacien) and (goalkeeper) Alex Cairns coming in at the back, we’ve had that for two games now. We’ve got a consistent backline.

“It brings structure and solidarity, so it’s giving us the best platform to go forward and still create.

“My mindset has still been about playing attacking football but I’m also making sure we don’t concede as a major priority.”

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