Tim Krul is out with shoulder ligament damage, no timeframe yet but no fresh players back (
Gilmour, Normann, Rupp and Omobamidele hopefully back for Wolves (Sat 5th Feb, after the break)
DS further on Krul. 'He was due to see a consultant. I am awaiting the feedback now from our medical dept. But it is a big loss. We saw that in the two games he missed over Xmas. But an opp for others.' Gunny was disappointed with results in those two games, is working hard. He knows McGovern and McCracken is pushing him.”
"More of a spring in the step around the training ground this week, that's what a win can do for you," says DS, talking about the Everton win lifting the mood and fresh feeling"
Smith on importance of Watford game: "Said before Everton that it wasn't quite a be-all-and-end-all game but getting that way so getting that victory really important and takes a little pressure off - but all know how important it is and what a win could do for both teams."
DS has no issue with the 'winter break' remaining and not being used for rearranged fixtures after all of the postponements. On PL potentially increasing bar for postponements: "They are the rules for this season and shouldn't be allowed to change." Can change in summer.
DS on potentially getting out of bottom three: "Incentive is more to beat a team just above us, we know there's a small cluster of clubs all fighting to get out of the relegation places but important thing is after 38 games."
Smith confirms
Kenny McLean is available again after his Covid isolation
DS says he 'wasn't worried' about survival during tough run, was just concerned about the players being ill or injured, so that dominated his thoughts. "Knew once we started getting players back our fortunes would change."
DS asked about using 4-4-2 shape: "It's just another string in our bow, last week we only had two central midfielders available so the decision was pretty much made for us. McLean back so gives opp to change the system if need to. Players are tactically aware."
DS on Gunn: "It can be a lonely place being in goal when you haven't got the protection you need. We were certainly lacking numbers against Arsenal & Palace when Angus came into the team. That Southampton game (9-0 v Leicester) is long gone. He'll be much better protected."
DS confirms that Aarons and Williams are both okay, jokes Max has had a bit of stick from the players for being on crutches on Sat and training on Tuesday
DS confirms that Zimbo is going to play for the U23s v Burnley tomorrow, so 'on the comeback trail'. CZ had wanted to travel to Watford but Smith wants him to get minutes
Smith says has had a chat with Hugill about not getting minutes he'd like at West Brom, so it's a situation they will look out. Not clear if that means to come back into the
#NCFC squad or to go on loan elsewhere, nothing changed yet.
On Carrow Road crowd on Saturday… DS: “It was a great atmosphere. We have to raise the atmosphere with our energy levels and I felt we did that.
"We learned a lot about ourselves with the energy and fitness levels we put into that Everton game," Smith adds
