Injury scare for Wolves as Sam Ricketts withdraws from Wales squad
Wolves captain Sam Ricketts was today undergoing a scan on his knee after withdrawing from international duty.
But head coach Kenny Jackett is keeping his fingers crossed his skipper will be fit to rejoin their promotion push after the international break.
Former AFC Telford United defender Ricketts has been playing with the problem for several weeks since aggravating his injury during Wales' 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat away to Macedonia on September 6.
Although it forced him to miss his country's subsequent game, a 3-0 home defeat against Serbia, he has remained an ever-present for Wolves, playing every minute.
Now the 31-year-old defender is ruled out of Friday's return with Macedonia and Tuesday's qualifier away to Belgium.
But it's hoped the niggle can be managed so he will retain his ever-present record for Wolves in League One for the visit of Coventry on October 19.
Phil Hayward, Wolves' head of medical department, said: "Sam has withdrawn from the Wales squad after aggravating a knee injury he sustained playing for Wales during the last round of internationals.
"With continuing treatment it's something he's been able to play through for our last few games, but he aggravated the injury during Saturday's game at Colchester.
"He'll be sent for a scan today to assess the extent of any further damage but it's hoped the problem will not keep him out of training for an extended period."
n Bakary Sako was today urged to forget his on-off transfer to Nottingham Forest and focus again on getting Wolves promoted.
Wolves are using the two-week break between League One fixtures to give the French winger time and space to clear his head after his move to Forest collapsed at the end of last week.
And Sako won't be involved in tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy second-round visit of Notts County. The 25-year-old is still not fully fit after being laid low by a stomach bug which kept him out of last Thursday's training session and Saturday's 3-0 win at Colchester.
Now head coach Kenny Jackett is working on getting him fit for the visit of Coventry a week on Saturday.
"It's important now he gets himself mentally and physically right to keep pursuing our goal which is to get promoted this season," said Jackett.
"He's scored five goals this season which is a good return for a wideman."
