HARRY Toffolo is expecting to be fully fit come Sunday’s play-off final.
The Norwich youngster missed both legs of the semi-final with a dead leg sustained at Colchester nine days before the 2-1 win at Bramall Lane. As a result the 19-year-old had to watch from the stands as Town meted out and survived last minute drama to see off Sheffield United.
In both legs against the Blades Sam Ricketts lined-up in the left wing-back role Toffolo had made his own in the second half of the season.
It means Toffolo’s selection in boss Mark Cooper’s first XI for the final could hang on the fate of the team’s other injury concerns.
Should captain Nathan Thompson not get over his grade two hamstring tear Ricketts would move into the back three and allow Toffolo to return to the left wing-back slot. Whereas if the skipper was fit to start, the Canaries loanee would be in a shoot-out for the starting place with Ricketts.
Also should Louis Thompson be available for selection Cooper would have to consider which five of his six loanees he could select in his matchday squad, with Toffolo potentially one who could miss out.
Despite this, Toffolo is feeling buoyant after shaking off his injury and has been doing extra sessions over the last few days to make sure he is in top shape come Sunday.
“I’ve trained in the last few days and I feel really strong in that regard,” he told the Advertiser. “My head is in the right place, all the boys have their head is on the game and they’re focused on what they have to do.
“My fitness is still there because I worked hard whilst I was injured to maintain it, it’s one of those things to keep an eye on.
“I’ve been putting in extra sessions at training, doing the small sided games at the end to get my fitness right up there. With the doubts over Nathan (Thompson’s availability) and other players in the team you’ve got to be ready if called upon.”
The Thompson brothers are Town’s biggest doubts for the final. Nathan has been receiving injections and oxygen therapy on his hamstring in his bid to be available for Sunday.
Louis was seeing a surgeon, as well as medical staff from Norwich and Swindon, yesterday to assess whether he would be able to bow out as a Town player at Wembley.
Manager Cooper was in a positive frame of mind with regard to his injury situation, he added: “We’re confident everyone is going to be available for selection.”
The Swindon Advertiser was not permitted to attend Monday's pre-Wembley media day.
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