Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell says he is uncertain if on-loan Luton Town striker Admiral Muskwe will return to the club after suffering a “significant” hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old was hurt playing for Zimbabwe against Rwanda last month and has returned to Luton for treatment.
Caldwell says the forward will be out for “a number of months”.
“Our thoughts are with Admiral and hopefully he recovers quickly and gets back as quick as he can,” he said.
Caldwell’s options up front have been limited this season with deadline-day signing Muskwe carrying an injury when he arrived at the club and only playing eight times.
The Exeter boss says he is yet to decide if he will keep Muskwe when the January transfer window reopens or opt to cut the loan short. “As we get closer to January that will probably be a discussion we’ll have with Luton, see what happens there and how much he is going to be out for in terms of the rest of the season,” Caldwell added.
“It’s a position where we’re fairly light, but it’s an opportunity for other people to come in and stake their place in the team and an opportunity for other people to score goals.”
One of those who has been tried up front in recent weeks is centre-back Cheick Diabate. Despite not scoring a goal, Caldwell says he has been impressed with how the 21-year-old has adapted to his new role.
“We felt we needed some physicality,” he told BBC Sport.
“He’s been excellent in training, he’s really taken on board what we’re asking him to do.
“It is a big change for him physically in terms of what he needs to do as a number nine compared to as a centre-back – that’ll take time for him to really feel the benefits of that. “We’ve been training him like a striker for three weeks now in terms of his extra running and different things, but I think he’s done well in the games.
“His hold-up play and link-up play has been as good as anyone this season – he still has to pick up little bits as a number nine, as you would expect, but I think he can be happy with what he’s given the team.
“He’s given the team a focal point and got us up the pitch better than we have in other games.
“I think it’s something we’ll continue with for the foreseeable future, definitely up to January.”
Herald
