Notts County boss Luke Williams has confirmed that defender Geraldo Bajrami has not featured for his side in recent weeks due to an ongoing Achilles issue, rather than a reflection of his recent performances.
The 23-year-old has not featured for the Magpies since their defeat to Wrexham last month, having made a mistake that allowed Elliot Lee to score the winning goal in their top-of-the-table clash at The Racecourse Ground.
It's been a stop-start season for the Albanian having arrived from Kidderminster Harriers in the summer along with team-mate Sam Austin.
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Bajrami's versatility was seen first-hand at the start of the season, providing sufficient cover in the Notts back three for Connell Rawlinson before being moved into central midfield and creating a formidable partnership alongside Matty Palmer - crucial in the seven-game winning run back in October as the club embarked on their record-breaking 25-game unbeaten streak.
But an injury to Aden Baldwin halted Bajrami's run in the side, Williams not risking the 23-year-old given the extent of his defensive absentees and not wanting to lose the versatile Albanian.
He was an unused substitute for nine of Notts' 15 matches from November to the end of February but managed regular first-team action in the lead to their clash with Wrexham - starting five of their six matches ahead of their trip to north Wales.
While many were quick to voice their opinions in the heat of the moment shortly after the defeat to Phil Parkinson's side, Williams explained that his recent absence was nothing to with his performance against the eventual National League champions.
"He picked up an injury, he had something ongoing with the Achilles and as you know, it can be very difficult to heal because there is not a huge amount of blood supply there.
"Sometimes it doesn't heal in a brilliant way, and it's the type of injury that can linger and if you get more contact it can push to the point where it's almost impossible to move freely.
"Baj spent some time rehabilitating and doing more exercises so that he can work very hard without stressing that area of the body, but he has been working very hard.
"Now, he is back in training but of course, he has to now try and force his way back into the squad, but it's nothing that I am worried about, or that he was removed from the squad because I was disappointed in anything that he has done - it is nothing like that.
"He came out of the squad because of an injury, and now he is back and available and he trained very well."
