Knobel may miss two months
By Amanda Buivids
richmondfc.com.au
April 11, 2007
RICHMOND’S injury woes continued today with ruckman Trent Knobel expected to miss the next six to eight weeks following ankle surgery.
The 204cm playmaker underwent an arthroscopic operation on Tuesday evening to remove scar tissue from his left ankle.
Knobel, limited to just three games last season with leg and ankle injuries, will now require 6-8 weeks of rehabilitation before resuming in the second-half of the 2007 season.
Lamenting the Tigers’ injury fortunes – which include No.1 ruckman Troy Simmonds (ankle), the versatile Ray Hall (hip), Kent Kingsley (ankle) and Mark Coughlan (knee) - football operations manager Paul Armstrong says he feels for Knobel.
“It’s particularly disappointing for Trent. He’s put in a lot of hard work and was looking forward to the second year of his contract and offering more at senior level this season,” Armstrong said.
“He had an interrupted season last year, missing the first four games with a fractured leg and then injuring his ankle.
“The plan for him this year was to be a back-up for Troy Simmonds – and neither of them have played yet.”
The absence of the ruck pair has created an opportunity for 197cm key-position player Adam Pattison, who managed 15 games in 2006.
“He’s doing a sterling job. He’s very young, and he’s big,” Armstrong said of the 21-year-old.
Armstrong said off-season signing Graham Polak will also fill the void at the centre bounces.
Knobel, 26, had a modified pre-season training program following ankle surgery over Summer.
Ongoing pain and discomfort forced him back under the knife this week where ankle specialist Dr Mark Blackney removed scar tissue.
The former Saint will rest for the next couple of weeks before beginning non-weight baring exercises including swimming and bike riding.
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