Team news | Destiny out until January, Brennan ‘touch and go’ to face Slavia Prague

Thomas Frank has been dealt a defensive injury blow with Destiny Udogie out until the New Year with a hamstring injury.

The flying full-back picked up the issue late in our 2-2 draw against Newcastle at St. James’ Park last week. That forced him out of contention for Saturday’s win against Brentford and as we prepare to return to UEFA Champions League action and Slavia Prague at home in MD6 on Tuesday (8pm UK), Thomas reports that the Italy international will be out for the next few weeks.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon, Thomas said: “Destiny, as I said after the (Brentford) game, picked up a hamstring injury at the end of the Newcastle game, so he’s out until January, unfortunately. Brennan is touch and go.”

James Maddison, on his way back from a serious knee injury sustained in August, joined the squad for part of Monday’s training session, spotted by journalists as it was part of the session open to media. Asked about the midfielder’s progress, Thomas said: “It's very early stages. It's still a long-term injury, so it's good to see him out there, but very early stages. There's no specific time frame. It will a be a long time, unfortunately, before he's available.”

Thomas also said there would be 'a bit of rotation' when asked if he would be tempted to stick with a winning team after such a good performance against Brentford on Saturday. “I liked the performance, as I said after the game, but we're also playing a lot of games, so there will be a bit of rotation," he replied. "I think that's the right thing to do to make sure everyone is coming full of energy and freshness but also keeping a core."