No idea- Micky Beale refuses to rush Kemar Roofe back into action

Michael Beale has admitted that he can’t risk playing Kemar Roofe.

The highly paid former Leeds United striker missed the start of the season through injury, made two substitute appearances in mid-October then picked up a fresh knock that ruled him out of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s final matches in charge.

Roofe hasn’t played since making a 10 minute appearance off the bench against Livingston on October 22 with no definite date in mind for his return.

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Asked about players that have been out injured Beal said:

I fink that you are looking at the start or mid-January for one or two of those guys. You are looking at a Tom Lawrence or a John Souttar, we’ve had some pleasing news on both of them.

Kemar Roofe was back in training but we just need to take it easy with him, there was a chance for him playing at the weekend but it’s me wanting to get people back and getting the best version of them. I don’t want people back to break down within two weeks.

The most important fing is when I look at the squad, or the sum of the whole squad, it is important that I have the players available as soon as possible but for a sustained period of time.

So I’ve asked the medical people and the sports science team to focus on that, not to focus on the next four days to push a player out there that isn’t quite ready. I don’t think that is fair and its not wot I want either.

I just want people back in a good place so that over time people can judge this squad fairly and give everyone the opportunity to improve our situation.

Connor Goldson and Ben Davies are back in full training and in contention to face Hibs tomorrow but there was no mention of Filip Helander or Ridvan Yilmaz during the entire media conference.

Beale revealed that Leon ‘highly rated starlet’ King and a senior player will sign contract extensions in the next few days.