http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-13055275-detail/story.html MATTHEW Etherington is expected to line-up against Hajduk Split on Thursday, despite suffering a fractured rib in the first leg. Ehterington was the only senior player omitted from the weekend friendly at Sheffield Wednesday, sparking fears over his fitness. Tony Pulis has now revealed details about the injury, but is confident the 29-year-old winger will take his place in a full-strength line-up for City's Europa League third qualifying round clash in Croatia (6pm BST). "He's got a little crack, that's all, after running into someone in the first game," said Pulis. "It was nothing malicious and it's not a bad injury. "He was left out at Sheffield as a precaution but trained OK yesterday. As things stand, he should be OK for Thursday." Pulis and his first-team party fly out early tomorrow after he decided to minimise the time spent abroad for their second-leg trip to the Adriatic coast. "We'll arrive early tomorrow," he said, "then they can rest and take things easy. We will train on their pitch tomorrow night, but it might just be a walk around because we don't want to give anything away." Pulis has been studying a tape of Hajduk's league defeat at the weekend when they made four changes to the team starting at Stoke last Thursday. "I wouldn't be surprised if they swapped things around a bit and maybe go with two up front for this one at their place," he added. "They will be a big challenge in front of their own fans, but we relish challenges like that." Stoke should have more than 1,000 fans in the 35,000 capacity Poljud Stadium for Thursday's second leg. Meanwhile, Pulis has laughed at speculation linking Stoke with midfielder Kim Bo Kyung, a 21-year-old South Korean midfielder currently playing in Japan. He will be far more interested in Newcastle's decision to release Joey Barton on a free transfer.
If he HAS got a busted rib then he will NOT play - easy as. I know these guys are fit etc, but a busted rib, say no more
When I was a fit young rugby player - I cracked a rib, ALL they could do was put a strap/tight bandage around your ribcage - and wait, in my case 6 or 7 weeks. Before anybody mentions it, YES medical science has moved on since those days BUT!! Hope to hell I'm wrong, although not to worry Shotton can play on the wing eh!!
Its the worst type of injury because its difficult to restrict movement (without stopping you from breathing) and its very easy to incurr the injury in the future. However Nik, I'm not sure type of fitness is to the level of the modern day footballer mate?
Agreed Smithers, I was trying to say that nothing re ribs have really changed, its just the amount of money that clubs invest in Doctor's, Physio's and other therapists etc etc. All I got as a (very) silly Sailor was 2 Aspirins, an Emetic a mouthwash wash the prescription/treatment. Jeesus, no wonder I have ruined back!!
I just hope he will be okay to play. Guessing Tony is doing the final all over again. 'See how he feels on the day'
It's a hairline crack and shouldn't cause him too many problems. But what does concern me though is why Pulis has made this common knowledge ahead of the game so any calculating defender can now have a pop at Etherington and take him out of the game. Is it another pre match excuse or once again bad management and not keeping his cards close to his chest?
