Basil Fawlty
Player Valuation: £35m
Injury Jinx Explained – News Archive – News – evertonfc.com – The Official Website of Everton Football Club
Everton's head physio has explained why the 'knee curse' that's hit the Blues over the last twelve months is purely an unfortunate coincidence.
Mick Rathbone's treatment room has been bursting at the seams with Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville, Victor Anichebe, Steven Pienaar and James Vaughan all needing rehabilitation.
Speaking exclusively to evertonTV, Rathbone says he's stunned at the squad's bad luck. "I have been a physio for 14 years and I have never known anything like this with so many serious injuries in one go,” he declared.
"Injuries are part of the game but to be hit with so many long term problems has been tough."
Any suggestion that the Club are possibly to blame for the injury jinx have been flatly denied.
"If you are having these injuries year-in year-out you would have to look at yourselves and ask what are we doing wrong - but this is just a one off." explains Rathbone.
"You have to also take into account that the game is getting much faster. The players are getting stronger and therefore more powerful. The pitches now are also very firm which is starting to take its toll. So it's not just bad luck, there are other factors behind it".
One of those players affected by a serious knee problem is impressing with his steady recovery, though.
"We are very pleased with Phil Jagielka. He is doing some good quality ball work now,” said Rathbone.
"When we talk about the recovery time from a cruciate injury the absolute minimum is six months.
"The surgeon won't let a player go into any type of contact work for at least six months then you have to add on time to build up fitness and play in a few reserve games so you are looking at over seven months for a quick comeback."
To watch evertonTV's exclusive interview with Mick Rathbone click here. Plus, keep an eye out for an update from Jags himself later this week.
Everton's head physio has explained why the 'knee curse' that's hit the Blues over the last twelve months is purely an unfortunate coincidence.
Mick Rathbone's treatment room has been bursting at the seams with Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville, Victor Anichebe, Steven Pienaar and James Vaughan all needing rehabilitation.
Speaking exclusively to evertonTV, Rathbone says he's stunned at the squad's bad luck. "I have been a physio for 14 years and I have never known anything like this with so many serious injuries in one go,” he declared.
"Injuries are part of the game but to be hit with so many long term problems has been tough."
Any suggestion that the Club are possibly to blame for the injury jinx have been flatly denied.
"If you are having these injuries year-in year-out you would have to look at yourselves and ask what are we doing wrong - but this is just a one off." explains Rathbone.
"You have to also take into account that the game is getting much faster. The players are getting stronger and therefore more powerful. The pitches now are also very firm which is starting to take its toll. So it's not just bad luck, there are other factors behind it".
One of those players affected by a serious knee problem is impressing with his steady recovery, though.
"We are very pleased with Phil Jagielka. He is doing some good quality ball work now,” said Rathbone.
"When we talk about the recovery time from a cruciate injury the absolute minimum is six months.
"The surgeon won't let a player go into any type of contact work for at least six months then you have to add on time to build up fitness and play in a few reserve games so you are looking at over seven months for a quick comeback."
To watch evertonTV's exclusive interview with Mick Rathbone click here. Plus, keep an eye out for an update from Jags himself later this week.