Chaplin Available, Smallbone To Be Assessed Pre-Doncaster

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Chaplin Available, Smallbone To Be Assessed Pre-Doncaster

Conor Chaplin could be involved in this weekend’s clash with Doncaster Rovers, while Will Smallbone and Christian McFarlane are also in contention.

2026-10-16T14:00+01:00

by Sam Jones

Published

10 Hours 44 Mins Ago

Chaplin Available, Smallbone To Be Assessed Pre-Doncaster

Conor Chaplin could be involved in this weekend’s clash with Doncaster Rovers, while Will Smallbone and Christian McFarlane are also in contention.

Sam Jones

2026-10-16T14:00+01:00

Chaplin Available, Smallbone To Be Assessed Pre-Doncaster

Conor Chaplin could be involved in this weekend’s clash with Doncaster Rovers, while Will Smallbone and Christian McFarlane are also in contention.

Sam Jones

2026-10-16T14:00+01:00

Chaplin Available, Smallbone To Be Assessed Pre-Doncaster

Conor Chaplin could be involved in this weekend’s clash with Doncaster Rovers, while Will Smallbone and Christian McFarlane are also in contention.

Sam Jones

2026-10-16T14:00+01:00

Chaplin Available, Smallbone To Be Assessed Pre-Doncaster

Conor Chaplin could be involved in this weekend’s clash with Doncaster Rovers, while Will Smallbone and Christian McFarlane are also in contention.

Sam Jones

2026-10-16T14:00+01:00

We’re hosting Doncaster Rovers at King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off)
Russell Martin provided an update on the squad’s fitness ahead of the Sky Bet League One clash
Conor Chaplin is in line to be involved after an extended period on the sidelines
Will Smallbone and Christian McFarlane could also play a part at the weekend
The game will come too soon for Jayden Joseph, who remains injured

We welcome Doncaster to King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off) as our Sky Bet League One campaign continues on home soil.

And we may be boosted by the long-awaited return of summer signing Chaplin, who has been out since picking up an injury in the first half of our draw with MK Dons at the end of August – his only league appearance of the season so far.

As for new recruit Smallbone, the Republic of Ireland midfielder is awaiting his City debut, which could come this weekend, Russell Martin revealed in Friday’s pre-match press conference.

“Yes it is [the matchday Chaplin will be available],” our Manager told the media. “We’ll assess Will Smallbone and see if he’s really ready to help us because he’s had a long while not training. It might be both of them, but it’ll definitely be Conor.

“It’s huge because he’s a real leader and someone who can help us get through moments where we have to be a bit uncomfortable. He understands what it takes.

“We’ll have to assess [if he’s ready to start]. He’s been out a while so probably, but for how long I don’t know and then is he more impactful off the bench? You’ll see tomorrow.”

With Jayden Joseph remaining on the sidelines for the foreseeable, there’s a spot up for grabs at right-back, while on the other flank, Manchester City loanee McFarlane is potentially in line to be part of the matchday squad following over a month out for the 19-year-old due to injury.

“He (Joseph) is too far away to be included,” Martin continued. “JJ was one of our best players. No one has really nailed that down since, but someone has to take the opportunity at some point and make it their own.

“At the moment, everyone is in a good place and we’re hoping to have Christian McFarlane back as well.”

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