Chris Skitt gives us an update on the injury situation ahead of the Final
Shrewsbury Town Physio Chris Skitt has given an update to ShrewsWeb about the fitness of the squad going into Sunday’s game against Lincoln City at Wembley.
Abu Ogogo has already been ruled out of the game with a medial ligament, whilst Alex Rodman and Toto Nsiala are doubts with back injuries and fractured cheekbones respectively.
“It’s terrible news both for the club and for Abs himself, he’s had a terrific season and to be hit with an injury from training is devastating for everyone”, said Skitt.
“It’s the big strong ligament that runs on the inside of your knee. It attaches the big bones together and keeps strength in that area. It’s used regularly in football because it’s the strength to restrict stress going through as you side-foot the ball.
“The way Abs tackles, in terms of opening his body out and going through the ball, means that he is predisposed to injuries like this and when you are injured you can't play on and need something to be done about it.
“He’s booked in for surgery. We’ve got a brilliant surgeon, Pete Gallagher, who does all of our work with knees. He’s booked in for a surgical appointment, he will be in and out on the same day and then the rehab will start quite quickly.”
Alex Rodman missed both games over the Easter weekend and Skitt gave an update on his back trouble.
“Rodders in training had a back spasm, was quite incapacitated through it and was really sore”, Chris said.
“Backs are difficult to manage in the fact that you have to try and stop the spasm. Certain positions that the back goes into increases the spasm, so it’s just been a case of trying to get him to a position of getting him back going, reducing the spasm and proper activation of muscles.
“Suction cups have become more popular in the last couple of years but we’ve been using them for quite a while to try and alleviate any stress surrounding the muscle, so it’s really about trying to offload the tight areas and restricted areas that Rodders is feeling.”
Meanwhile, Toto Nsiala’s facial injury continues to carry swelling and Chris believes it will be a waiting game with him.
“It’s still swollen and a little bit bruised, but he’s coming along nicely”, said Skitt.
“Both Rodders and Toto will travel down but we are still in the lap of the gods a little bit with a few issues with both of them. We will be keeping a watchful eye over how they recover and if they make it to the game on Sunday.
“It’s normally about four or five days to get a mask done, so with it happening over the weekend we’ve been fraught with trying to get a mask sorted. Whether it comes or not is still a little bit up in the sky at the minute, but it is on order and hopefully it will come in time.”