World Cupper cracks shin bone.
By: Micky Aigner (indianfootball).
If Stewart Hall's departure was an unexpected development, Pune FC on Friday was in for a bigger shock. High-profile defender Cyd Gray - a member of the Trinidad & Tobago squad at the 2006 Germany World Cup - on Friday was ruled out for at least three to four weeks. Reason: a cracked shine bone.
Gray, it is learnt, was injured during a 'friendly' match against Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at Bangalore on Friday. Pune FC ended 4-0 victors, but in the bargain paid the price. The Trinidadian was "ruthlessly" tackled and ended up with a cracked right shin and major damage to the lower tibia.
Confirming this was Chirag Tanna, who added, "the HAL player was red-carded... and mind you this was a friendly tie." As PFC general manager explained, "Cyd and Minz (HAL) were in a fifty-fifty situation with the later in a good position to take a shy on the goal."
For the record, Emeka netted a hattrick, while Suman completed the tally. While a time frame could not be ascertained - two months was the Bangalore hospital's verdict - as to how long Gray would take to rehabilitate himself, Chirag informed The Indian Express that they were hoping to get Mumbai-based renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr Anant Joshi check Gray.
"It's a big blow no doubt," informed Tanna, who also highlighted that they (Pune FC) have closed all doors on seeking transfers, loans on players by already completing their quota. "I guess if he (Gray) can play towards the end of the league it would be a miracle," explained Tanna.
With Gray injured the biggest loser would be the city's football fraternity who would miss the chance to see a World Cupper in action with the All India Abhijeet Kadam Memorial scheduled to be played from February 27.
Cyd Gray out for over 2 months.
By: Micky Aigner (indianfootball).
It seems Pune Football Club's worst fears have come true. Resigned to the fact that their star signing Cyd Gray -- nursing a cracked shin -- will be out of action for four to five weeks as preliminary reports last week suggested, orthopedic expert Dr Anant Joshi's verdict Tuesday presented a grimmer picture. The Mumbai-based specialist ruled out the 2006 World Cupper from playing football for at least two-and-a-half months.
Joshi's final word, thus, ends Gray's hopes of playing the Second Division I-League which begins in the third week March, handing the club a major blow to their hopes. Confirming this was PFC spokesperson Chirag Tanna, who informed that "Gray's situation is bleak and it would be a miracle only if he plays."
Gray had injured himself during a 'friendly' match against Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore last week. According to the diagnosis it would only be four to five weeks before Gray can put any weight on his right foot. Tanna informed, "He (Gray) suffered a crack... but the bone alignment was good and hence he did not need an operation."
In fact, even after four to five weeks Gray -- currently in a cast -- would be able to put a little weight on it (foot), but would still have crutches for six weeks. "It would then get into rehab, which can take it's own time," Tanna added.
Asked if the PFC management had any plan to send Gray back, Tanna informed, "We (PFC) will have to look into that aspect...nothing is decided. We should be taking that call in the next day or so."
Having run into unexpected trouble, PFC are planning to approach the national body -- the AIFF -- to consider Gray's unfortunate situation and help them reinstate order in their squad before the I-League. The 31-year-old had signed on with the club for five months.
As Tanna put it, "We've (PFC) exhausted all our options (on-loan players, interstate transfers)." While the possibility of AIFF considering PFC's request seems bleak -- the possibility being other teams use 'injury and ruled out' as an excuse -- PFC have surely not had the best of starts in their inaugural year.
