Seems like self sabotage to me. The guys been more or less on the pine for a year. He needs time to develop confidence in his body and in his game.
We're the only club who rushes in players like this. It's a sign of desperation, and poor injury management.
I'd only play him if he was clearly head and shoulders above other mids competing for the position and it woukd therefore be a travisty not to play him.
If he does more than 85% of pre season he’s a chance to play round 1, less and he will be managed. It’s how Andrew Russell does it,and it’s how we’ll do it going forward.