Matt Bloomfield is still undecided if he will hand striker Brandon Hanlan his first Wycombe Wanderers start in nearly a year this weekend.
The Chairboys are in FA Cup action against National League surprise package York City, but Bloomfield is still unsure if he will give the former Bristol Rovers man an appearance at Adams Park.
Long Road To Recovery
Hanlan made 19 appearances last season up until November when he tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament in a match against Stevenage following a tussle with Carl Piergianni. Since then he has been on the path to returning to action, making positive progress in recent weeks and had previously featured in a practice match against Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Speaking to BBC Radio Three Counties about the chances of the 27-year-old featuring against The Minstermen this weekend, Bloomfield said (Quotes via Bucks Free Press):
“Possibly – I’ve yet to make a final decision on that.
“We are analysing where everyone is at in terms of their minutes, and there is a chance of getting some minutes for Brands. He can be a big player for us.
“He was in such fine form for us last season before he got injured, and he was a huge loss for this football club.
“We’ll grab that opportunity at both hands to get him back, as he possesses great pace and strength.”
Since joining in August 2021, Hanlan has featured 98 times for Wanderers and his time in Buckinghamshire is the longest stint he has had at any club both in time and number of appearances in his career.
Writer’s View
Whatever Matt Bloomfield decides, it is great to see Brandon Hanlan to be closing in on a return. Should he choose to play him this weekend, he will undoubtedly get a great reception from the Adams Park faithful. Wycombe are in a great place on the pitch and Hanlan will surely have a big role to play in the future as Wanderers seek to keep their surprise start to the season rolling into 2025.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
