Aleksandar Tunchev and Stephen Clemence must be 'spot on' before returning, says Nigel Pearson

[davieG]

From the Merc.

Injured duo Aleksandar Tunchev and Stephen Clemence will not be rushed back into the Leicester City first team, manager Nigel Pearson has pledged.

Clemence was due to continue his comeback following a serious heel injury in the reserves at Walsall next Wednesday, but the game has been postponed due to the youth team's FA Youth Cup third round tie against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena on the same night.

However, the club captain is not yet ready for a first team recall after 18 months on the sidelines following surgery on an Achilles injury.

Bulgarian international Tunchev suffered a recent setback after making his comeback from a cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered at Crystal Palace in January.

Tunchev featured in the first team but then had to undergo further surgery to clean up the joint and was hoping to return within weeks.

However, City are treating the centre back with caution and Pearson said neither player would return until they were 100 per cent ready.

"It is frustrating for Tunch," said Pearson.

"He is getting there but we can't put a time on it. It is the same with Clem.

"It has been a frustrating time for both of them. You would rather have all your players available but they are long termers.

"It is important that we get them back right. There is no point moaning that they are not available. When they are available I want them to be absolutely spot on.

"Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later.

"For Tunch it has been frustrating because when he first picked up the injury at Crystal Palace in January, we first thought it would be six months and the rest of the season.

"It has nagged on and he has had another op.

"It is frustrating for him because he is a good professional and he wants to be playing. He is a very good player."

[Kilworthfox]

Injured duo Aleksandar Tunchev and Stephen Clemence will not be rushed back into the Leicester City first team, manager Nigel Pearson has pledged.

Clemence was due to continue his comeback following a serious heel injury in the reserves at Walsall next Wednesday, but the game has been postponed due to the youth team's FA Youth Cup third round tie against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena on the same night.

However, the club captain is not yet ready for a first team recall after 18 months on the sidelines following surgery on an Achilles injury.

Bulgarian international Tunchev suffered a recent setback after making his comeback from a cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered at Crystal Palace in January.

Tunchev featured in the first team but then had to undergo further surgery to clean up the joint and was hoping to return within weeks.

However, City are treating the centre back with caution and Pearson said neither player would return until they were 100 per cent ready.

"It is frustrating for Tunch," said Pearson.

"He is getting there but we can't put a time on it. It is the same with Clem.

"It has been a frustrating time for both of them. You would rather have all your players available but they are long termers.

"It is important that we get them back right. There is no point moaning that they are not available. When they are available I want them to be absolutely spot on.

"Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later.

"For Tunch it has been frustrating because when he first picked up the injury at Crystal Palace in January, we first thought it would be six months and the rest of the season.

"It has nagged on and he has had another op.

"It is frustrating for him because he is a good professional and he wants to be playing. He is a very good player."

Would be nice to have them both back in action, however I like it how we are not rushing them back, it is the sign that they are being treated in a professional manner by the club.

[Babylon]

Will be like getting two new signings if they both do make a full recovery.

[lildave3]

Absolutely no need to rush them back at the moment. Will be great to have Tunch back when he is 100% though.

[BoneDog]

Hopefully Clemence is ready soon and can re-capture the form he showed for Birmingham the season before he joined us.

He was solid

[Edmund]

Isn't Clemences contract up at the end of the season?

Can't see us renewing it and I can't see him featuring again for us.

[Sir Fynwy]

Isn't Clemences contract up at the end of the season?

Can't see us renewing it and I can't see him featuring again for us.

Yes it is, I think his renewed attempts to get fit are mainly about getting a new contract somewhere for the next few years rather than ending his career in June

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Unfortunately I think Clemence is permanately buggered.