Ross County manager Tony Docherty believes injured Noah Chilvers can be Staggies’ ‘best signing in January’ on return to action
Ross County manager Tony Docherty says last season’s talisman Noah Chilvers is on track to return from injury in the new year – and admits he could be the role of a transformative January signing.
The 24-year-old creative midfielder became a star man for the Staggies last season before disaster struck in the form of an ACL rupture at the start of April.
His absence was highlighted by both former manager Don Cowie and assistant Carl Tremarco upon their respective departures from County as a turning point in the season, which eventually saw the Dingwall outfit relegated from the Premiership.
While still a way away from getting back into training, Docherty has been impressed by the mentality he has seen from Chilvers in conversations with the ex-Colchester United man and has backed him to shine when he does eventually make a return to action.
“He’s doing really well, he has a really comprehensive package for his rehabilitation,” Docherty explained.
“I’ve had loads of conversations with Noah and I really regard him so highly as a footballer, but since I've got to know him as a person I’ve got an even higher regard for him.
“I watch him in the gym and you can see he’s determined to get back to be even better than he was before. That’s his motivation.
“For me, that will be the best signing in January, once we get a player of that quality back.
“Before I came to this club, Noah was the one you would look at in your analysis, knowing that if you allowed him space and time he would kill you. He has real quality as a footballer and those are the type of players you want to work with.
“Sometimes I’ve found with players returning from injury, it does give them a wee mind shift. They don’t take things for granted, and I see that in Noah.
“Joe Shaughnessy was one and he had the same injury. In my opinion, Joe came back fitter, stronger, better and I’m hoping that will be the same with Noah.
“It will be huge to have him back, but I don’t want to put any more pressure on him because I know the amount of work, being the professional he is, that he is already putting in. He has his own objectives and he’s knocking down those red flags and getting there.”
In the shorter term, Tony Docherty has welcomed Ross Docherty back to training this week and expects to have Kieran Phillips back with the group tomorrow.
Trevor Carson is fine after sustaining a knock in the goalless draw at St Johnstone last weekend, while Miller Thomson is due to be assessed on his return from international duty with Scotland’s under-21s, where he did appear to pick up an ankle issue.
Sean Mackie remains on the sidelines for now, but long-term absentee Josh Reid featured for County in a bounce game against Strathspey Thistle last night and is in contention to make his first team return this weekend.