Luke Williams says that Peterborough United have enough talent to cover striker Harry Leonard’s absence as he underwent a hernia operation after the club’s last game against Northampton Town.
Recently, he had been having painkilling injections so he could play.
However, when the discomfort became too much he and the club decided an operation was the only option.
“We had tried to manage the problem with injections and they would never had put him at any risk,” Williams said (via Peterborough Telegraph).
“Harry hadn’t been able to complete a full week’s training recently and it was clear this problem was only going one way.
“Harry felt that he couldn’t produce what he wanted to produce, and to be in discomfort every day was not going to do him any good mentally or physically, so we took the decision between us to act now. He was involved in every decision we made.”
The Peterborough United boss confirmed that the operation was a success with no complications, and added that Leonard is “on the mend”.
The striker will be out for around four to six weeks.
Williams said that the club have enough talent within the squad to cope without 22-year-old Leonard.
“One of the beautiful things about managing this club is the incredible conveyor belt of talent we have.
“We have Pemi [Aderoju] and David [Kamara] waiting to step up and take their opportunity and of course we have JJ [Jimmy-Jay Morgan] who was signed as a striker.
“It also helps having a player as good as Matt Garbett coming back. He is a very gifted player who can star in a second attacking line.”
A likely Posh line-up for their next game against Leyton Orient on 14th March could see Morgan playing as the main striker, with Garbett playing as a 10 after returning from a foot injury.
Alternatively, Williams could deploy Aderoju or Kamara upfront, keeping Morgan in his usual role behind the striker.
Posh’s game against Port Vale this weekend was postponed after Vale made it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
There was some good news about Posh’s other injured stars, because Harley Mills and Jacob Mendy could be back in the squad for the trip to Orient.
Williams said:
“Jacob is back training and he’s looked very good. He looks in good shape. Harley’s reaction to what can be a devastating injury has been outstanding.
“His recovery has been a gold standard in coming back from that type of injury.”
He also had encouraging updates on the progress of Sam Hughes and Ben Woods.
“Sam has had difficulties at certain stages of his recovery. He’s really close now, but will need minutes in a reserve game, and many more training minutes, but he will have the enthusiasm to overcome any lingering discomfort.”
Of Woods, he said:
“It’s taken Ben longer to get back than we expected, but he had a setback. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel with him now though.”
