Mark McChrystal: Bristol Rovers defender rested for a month

Bristol Rovers defender Mark McChrystal will be rested for at least a month after being diagnosed with tendonitis in his knee.

The 29-year-old is expected to feature in this weekend's League Two game against Mansfield before being kept out the side to recover from the problem.

"We'll see if we can get him out there on Saturday," Rovers manager John Ward told BBC Radio Bristol.

"But there's no way I'll risk his career, fitness or health to do that."

Ward added: "Mark epitomises what we are trying to do within the squad and he's good to have around.

"If he's fit and healthy then he'll be out there, but if he's not then I won't risk him if he's got any doubts."

McChrystal, in his second season at the Memorial Stadium, has played 12 games this term but has struggled for fitness in recent weeks.

Ward had said he would be happy to utilise transfer-listed defender Garry Kenneth in place of McChrystal, but the Scotsman has now picked up an injury of his own and will not be available at the weekend.

 

how convenient!!!

 

now is kenneth really injured?

is kenneth saying he is injured - throwing his toys out the pram?

or

is ward claiming he is injured so he dont have to play him?

hmm!

 

So we only have one CB might as well play 0-5-5 we got nothing to lose

 

We could have Lockyer at centre back.

 

lockyer hasnt been called up so looks like him playing CB with parkes and Keary on the bench maybe??

 

Apparently Kenneth is REALLY injured as reports from The BBC suggest he has been admitted to hospital after attempting to remove his own right leg from below the knee with a garden chainsaw rather than play for 'Bristol Rovers'

He was quoted as saying, "please don't make me go back to them, please not that"

His condition has been reported today as 'unstable'...

 

but playing with one leg won't make much difference, he's used to running round in circles

 

I've got a coffee table at home in a similar condition.

(but obviously more mobile than Kenneth)

 

yep! think both teams are used to that!

 

Stop being bitter and showing off just because you've won a league game this year.

 

we have won more that 1 this year. we have won 2 this season alone! impressive i know . but as you said this year and not this season, better make you aware that we won lots in 2013. won more than we lost/drew when ward took over remember?