Fleetwood Town pair have returned after positive Covid-19 tests
Josh Morris and Jordan Rossiter have been unavailable for the last fortnight as they have had to self-isolate since contracting the virus.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTown share their base with the club’s academy and some of the youth players have also had coronavirus.
Rossiter (pictured) is still on his way back from the season-ending knee injury that he picked up against Tranmere Rovers last year.
As a result, his positive test has slowed down that return and prevented him from building up his work in training.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMorgan Boyes is the only concern for Barton, fresh from setting a record number of caps for Wales’ U19s.
The Liverpool loanee was forced off against England with a foot injury and Barton is awaiting further news ahead of this afternoon’s League One clash with Lincoln City (3pm).
He said: “Josh and Jordan had Covid, they contracted it a couple of weeks back so they had to quarantine.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We had loads of the academy go down with it. It’s something that you have to be careful of.
“I suppose it’s the same with the modern world, we’re seeing cities going into tier three lockdown.
“Lancashire has just gone into that and we’re not immune just because we’re a football club.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Jordan is back in, he’s trained this week and he’s starting to get his strength back.
“Having that kind of illness does take the wind out of your sails and Josh was the same, he was flying before he got the illness and he’s finding his way back. He’s done well this week.
“Sam Finley serves his last suspension on Saturday, then he will come into contention.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Baz (Barrie McKay) is available. Everyone is fit. Boyesy came back from international duty with a kick on his foot, so we’ve had that X-rayed and we’re waiting on the results of that.
“He’s probably the only one we have to worry about.
“We’re in a good spot. We’ve got competition for places and a couple of new faces just gives the building a lift, especially when they are of the quality that we’ve recruited in the last couple of days.”
New signing Charlie Mulgrew is available for selection against high-flying Lincoln but fellow deadline day arrival Callum Connolly is not.