The 29-year-old loanee from AFC Bournemouth will be evaluated before Saturday’s match against Stoke City, according to manager Russell Martin. In lieu of Stuart Armstrong, Rothwell made his debut for the first time since the 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers earlier this month. Due to Rothwell’s audition for the promotion match at King Power Stadium, Armstrong will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
But with the Saints behind 1-0, he was replaced by regular starter Will Smallbone after just 40 minutes. Martin made the following statement following the game: “We will evaluate that as he has strained his hamstring.
“He was able to play on for a bit but then he became a bit tired so we will have a look.” On Saturday, April 27, Saints will play their final home game of the regular Championship season against Stoke.
On Saturday, May 4, the last day, they will go to Leeds United. A week later, they will play in the playoff semi-finals.
Although Flynn Downes, a stalwart in the midfield, is dealing with an injury, he should recover before the season ends. With Rothwell out of the picture, Smallbone, Joe Aribo, Downes, and Shea Charles are Martin’s only senior alternatives. Tyler Dibling, a teenage midfielder, has been traveling with the team and was one of three youth players sitting out the Leicester match.
