• Zebroski is 'fighting demons'
  • 'He got back on the straight and narrow but just before Christmas it started again'
  • Dack 'can't tell' if Zebroski will play again this season

Jim, let’s cut to the chase, with Chris Zebroski, what are the club able to do for him and what is the latest?

“The latest is we are trying to give him a bit of support, obviously he’s going through a lot of problems at the moment.

“The club are trying to give him support and the PFA are trying to help him and there will be a board meeting today to discuss where we are going to go with it.

“That’s down to the powers that be and is out of my hands now.

“We will just have to wait and see. We’ve gathered all the evidence now and spoken to Zebba (Zebroski) and he’s just fighting demons.

“It has been going on for a few years now, we had a few episodes with him at the start of the season, but he seemed to have straightened himself out.

“He got back on the straight and narrow again but just before Christmas it all started happening again.

“It’s just got progressively worse and I feel for the lad, when he’s in the football environment he’s a hard working and honest boy and when we keep hearing these things about him, it’s a bit of a surprise really.

“But he’s fighting those drinking demons and I just hope he can sort himself out. He’s getting back on counselling.”

With the club and the PFA, there are avenues for him?

“Yes and I think he’s been with the Tony Adams Sporting Chance Clinic as well, but when I spoke to him he felt he was overcoming it and I think he stopped going to meetings and that was his downfall.”

The club knew his background and character before they signed him so it was a gamble in that sense, but he’s delivered for you?

“Yeah he has, he did, he’s done well for the club but you can see in his performances of late that he’s not been at the races and it all coincides with his demons. He’s just got to get himself sorted out.”

We can’t talk about the specifics of the case, but do you expect him to play again this season?

“As I say, look, the board are meeting today and will discuss Chris’ situation. I can’t tell you anything until I know.”

But you can’t let it deflect from your focus?

“No I can’t. It’s not helped, I’ve got to be honest with you, but we’ve got to remain positive and hopefully start scoring goals again and get going. That’s been our problem since Christmas.”

Jim, we are limited in what we can say, there was a no comment statement from the club, it’s caught us all by surprise including people at the club, but as the manager you need to know where you stand?

“Of course. Zeb has got seven goals, he’s our second top scorer and if we can’t have him playing or around the club, we need to get someone in who is going to fill the void.

“Because we are light in that area. One way or another we want to know what is going on and the main thing is the boy and knowing that he’s going to be ok.

“That’s the most important thing. That Chris gets back on track.”