Cody McDonald’s scan in midweek has revealed a cruciate injury following a challenge during the first half of Tuesday night’s game against Hartlepool United, meaning the former Gillingham striker will not play again this season.
The 32-year-old, Garry Hill’s first signing as Fleet boss in late November, is added to the long-term injury list just as Dave Winfield begins to make signficant progress from his own setback earlier this season. Hill said of McDonald’s injury, “He had his scan on Thursday, it’s been confirmed he’s done his cruciate. It’s a blow to me, to the club and to Cody. He’s the first player I’ve fetched into the club since I arrived and he was in my mind for a big role this season and obviously looking into going forward into next season as well. We’re thin on the bench for Barrow, we’re a bit bang out of luck especially with the suspensions too and balancing others on yellow cards. But those are the circumstances, supporters will see we won’t fill the bench but we’ll fight, compete, be positive and we’ll get through this period.”
And in a further hit to Hill’s squad, Dean Rance has been handed a three-match ban following a review of video evidence following the Solihull Moors game, meaning he will miss the matches against Barrow, Salford City and FC Halifax Town. Bagasan Graham returns from his suspension for the visit of Salford.
