Coventry City injury news from CoventryLive as Fabio Tavares, Victor Torp, Joel Latibeaudiere and Luis Binks are all nursing problems that could force them to sit out the remainder of the season
Mark Robins is counting the cost of Coventry City’s hectic fixture schedule which he fears could leave him with up to four senior players out for the remainder of the season.
Fabio Tavares and Victor Torp suffered significant injuries in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley that ruled them out of Wednesday night’s 3-2 defeat at home to Hull, during which Luis Binks limped off with an Achilles problem and Joel Latibeaudiere aggravated an existing calf issue that he’s been managing.
Tavares is the biggest concern, with the Sky Blues manager revealing: “Fabio has got to go for a surgical opinion on his ankle. He’s got ligament damage and we have got to see whether he needs surgery or not. I think that’s getting done tomorrow (Thurs).
“Victor has torn a stomach muscle and was in too much pain to be involved (against Hull). I think it’s where there’s an attachment to his hip.”
He added: “Binksy had a tight Achilles at half-time and then just felt it in the game and had to go off. I don’t know how bad that is yet. Joel Latibeaudiere picked up a calf problem a while back and has been managing it, and today it has caught up with him a little bit.”
Asked if that rules them out for the remaining three league games of the season at Blackburn and at home to Ipswich and QPR, he said: “I don’t know, there’s not long left but potentially yes. Certainly Fabio, potentially Joel and Binksy, I am not sure yet but I wouldn’t be surprised if he missed the rest of the season as well. I am not sure where he is quite at.”
It’s a particular blow to both Tavares and Binks, both of whom had been told they would feature in the remaining games after playing so well in recent weeks.
“Yes it’s a shame, and Fabio’s done nothing wrong,” agreed Robins. “In fact he has helped us out immensely in that wide position but also when he has played down the middle he has scored some goals, got involved and started to feel part of things again. So it’s a blow but we’ll look after him and make sure he gets back as quickly as possible, whether that’s with surgery or not. But he will need a spell on the sidelines to get through again.”
Asked if his impressive recent form will give him encouragement to kick-on next season, the manager said: “There’s no alternative. If he wants to be a player he has to continue to do that but he has to stay fit. But it’s a huge impact injury, which was unavoidable really.”
Explaining what happened against Manchester United, he added: “He got slammed between two legs and it’s just damaged his ligaments. I think there were two players going for the ball at the same time and he’s just got caught between their legs and caused that damage, but it’s an impact.”
As for the blow for Bologna loan defender Binks, he added: “Yes, and I think he’s improved a hell of a lot. And he’s improved without sort of being in the team every week. He’s waited and been patient for his chances and he’s a brilliant, brilliant kid. He has got a lot of qualities and it’s just sad that when you need him to perform, and there’s a chance of him playing for the rest of the season and he gets an injury.
“But I don’t know how bad that is yet and, clearly, if he’s available he’ll play a part. But I don’t know how significant that is yet.”
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