Published: Friday, 19th March, 2010 9:00am

Bateman does not rule out Bowden-Haase return this season

Football

Nathan Bowden-Haase

STEVE Bateman has refused to rule out Nathan Bowden-Haase playing again this season despite suffering a fractured cheekbone on Tuesday night.

The central defender who has made 41 appearances so far this campaign, scoring nine times has been a key figure as Bateman has got the Rebels challenging at the right end of the table.

Bowden-Haase captained the side in the Berks & Bucks Cup semi-final defeat to Wycombe Wanderers but was forced off after an accidental clash whilst challenging for the ball in the air.

Slough's last league game is scheduled for April 24 and Bateman believes that if they are in the play-offs, Bowden-Haase could make a dramatic return despite being told six to eight weeks.

"We've lost Nathan Bowden-Haase to a fractured cheekbone so that is him out of the picture for the short term," confirmed Bateman.

"He will have an operation on Monday. It's six to eight weeks recovery from that point so that would tell you he won't be available for the rest of the season but if he does get something to aim for in terms of the play-offs, he might make it into those last few games.

"It's not the first time he's fractured a cheekbone, at the point of impact it was deja vu for him.

"I won't rule out that he can be fit, he can work on his fitness. Last time round he was back in four weeks with the aid of some kind of support.

"At the time he was at Chesham and they were starring at relegation, at least we are not in that position but he could come back to help us."

However, the Rebels are well covered at centre-back with Dean Harper - who could make his 100th appearance for the club next week having reached 98 on Tuesday - Yiadom Yeboah, Chris Seeby and Paul Edgworth all quality options that can be called upon.

"It gives other people opportunities and I still have good options in that area," said the manager.

"Dean (Harper) played there last (Tuesday) night, I changed it around a bit as he has been playing as a holding midfielder recently.

"Dean has done nothing wrong in the time I've had him at Slough. Whatever I have asked of him he has done.

"When you lose someone who has been a big player but you have the likes of Dean, Yiadom Yeboah and Chris Seeby who are all players with a lot of experience but still have a lot to offer it shows the strength of the squad.

"I might have to look at cover but Paul Edgworth can drop back in their quiet comfortably but in terms of central defenders we are well covered. It shows my reasons for continuing to chase Chris Seeby all season and I'm delighted to have him.

"He will be an important part of what we are doing," added the Rebels chief.