Sherjill MacDonald out injured for two weeks

Mar 20 2008 By Chris Lepkowski

SHERJILL MacDonald will be sidelined for the next fortnight as he prepares for a minor knee operation.

The Albion forward will go under the knife during the next few days to try to clear up a cartilage problem but should be back in training within two weeks.

Carl Hoefkens returns for tomorrow’s game against Charlton, although the Valley clash will come too early for Chris Brunt, who has resumed training, but isn’t yet fully fit.

Tony Mowbray also has Leon Barnett and James Morrison sidelined.

“Injuries aren’t good at the moment,” said the Albion boss.

“The positive is that Carl Hoefkens has trained and should be okay.

“Leon has, we hope, a Grade One hamstring problem which will be about 10 to 14 days.

“Chris Brunt is out there running but tomorrow will come too soon and James Morrison will probably be another week or so.

“And we’ll be without Sherjill MacDonald. He has cartilage issues so he’ll have an operatuon in the next day or so - that’ll keep him out for a couple of weeks.”

Meanwhile, Mowbray is hopeful an agreement will be reached with Barnsley over the Luke Steele transfer.

And Mowbray paid tribute to Steele, praising his conduct during the whole affair.

“Things are moving on,” he added

“I spoke to Simon Davey yesterday - they’re still keen and from our perspective we would like the boy’s future sorted out. I know the two chairman have spoken.

“I’m very player orientated and would like it sorted out for Luke’s sake.

“Luke has a lovely nature, he’s a diamond of a boy, gets on with his trainin gand yes he’d like his immediate future sorted out. He hasn’t been an ounce of a problem.”