StapleHillPhil Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 Below is the EP report. The poor bugger must be really fearing for his future now. LEE'S JINX STRIKES AGAIN BY CHRIS SWIFT 11:38 - 12 February 2004 Lee Matthews' hopes of relaunching his career at Bristol Rovers look to have been scuppered by injury. The 25-year-old striker has suffered ankle ligament damage and is expected to be sidelined for up to a month. And with his loan spell from rivals Bristol City expiring following Saturday's home clash with Darlington - a game Matthews is destined to miss - caretaker Phil Bater today acknowledged it is likely to signal the end of his stint with the club. "Lee picked the injury up in training after a tussle with Junior Agogo. He twisted awkwardly and has damaged ligaments on the inside and outside of his ankle," said Bater. "First of all we needed to get medical advice on how long he was likely to be out, and we have been told it could be between three and four weeks. "That obviously puts a different light on things because there is no point us having him for another month if he is going to spend most of that time out injured." It is a savage blow for Matthews, whose Ashton Gate contract is not likely to be renewed at the end of this season. His spell with City has been marked by a string of frustrating injuries, and he had been hoping to put himself in the shop window after becoming the first Robins player ever to join the Pirates on loan. He was particularly keen to round off his month-long stint in style this weekend against Darlington, the club where he spent six games on loan immediately before joining the Gas. Bater now hopes to bolster the ranks with another loan signing. "Lee's absence leaves us a bit thin on the ground so I'm hoping we can do something," Bater added. "I have talked to the chairman and have one or two targets in mind, but it remains to be seen if we can bring anyone in." Rovers also have worries over winger Wayne Carlisle ahead of Saturday's clash with the Shakers. The winger is suffering from the flu bug which has also kept midfielder Simon Bryant out of contention. Defender Sonny Parker is also out after suffering a kick on the calf in last night's reserve-team defeat to Plymouth at Mangotsfield.
Guest december 1963 Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 You have to remember that injuries are not his fault. Some people write as if he is doing it deliberately. We all turn out the way we do and if he has an injury prone body that is unlucky more than anything. It may be that he will have to consider early retirement but that would be better than not being able to walk down Bournemouth seafront as a pensioner one day. My overall view of his footballing ability is that he was definitely could have been worth the £100,000 we paid for him. Two particular matches - Bristol Rovers at home and Cheltenham away stick in my mind as showing the qualities he definitely has. In build and stature he is not unlike John Atyeo was. He could have been a greater player than he is if only he could have been free of injury. I think he enjoyed playing for us very much and wore our shirt with pride. If he never plays for us again I hope at least people will remember him as someone who at least tried to do it for us.
Guest Elye_Ball Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 I agree with December 1963, although I was still a twinkle in me Dad's eye back then. Matthews has showed potential and could be a successful striker at this level... He must be cursing his luck though! Let's hope he gave Agogo a good shoeing! He's been playing well by all accounts... showing the Gas how bad they really are... only to come back without scoring for them! RESPECT!
Taz Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 Lee Matthews injured. Where have I heard that before The injuries are not necesarily his fault (blame Agogo for this one), but he just seems to be injured all the time. When fit he has shown that he is one of the best pure strikers, not only at this club, but possibly outside of the premiership. He must be thinking about what he is going to do next season, because I really can't imagine many clubs wanting to take on someone as injury prone as Lee. Some people just have no luck. Shame, because he is a good player when fit.
fRed Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 This injury is bad timing for Lee, but at least it isn't all that serious. He could be fit in time to spend another couple of months out on loan before the end of the season. Who knows, we might see him back in the City squad, it's a funny old game.
Guest redrobin108 Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 You have got to feel sorry for the guy. He has spent more time injured, than playing. Chin up Lee.
Guest Hodges17 Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 Let's hope he gave Agogo a good shoeing! Yeah let's hope so! Agogo is pure cr*p. We'll have Lee back when he's fit!!
Taz Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 Yeah let's hope so! Agogo is pure cr*p. We'll have Lee back when he's fit!! Would you like to sign him during the course of this century or the next?
Guest Hodges17 Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 Fair point, the next time Lee is fit will also be the next time Agogo is good :Laugh4: :Laugh4: :Laugh4: :Laugh4: :Laugh4: :Laugh4: :Laugh4: I laugh, but i'm crying inside.
Bristol Boy Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 There are times in life when you have to consider a career change. A Physo at Leeds told an insider at City, who then told me, when we signed Matthews, that we had a good 'un, if we could only get him fit! Two years on and it's apparent the bloke never will be. For such a strapping bloke, it's gone beyond a joke and no manager in their right mind will offer him a contract........so, over the Rovers it is then!!
myoudale Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 to be honest i still think he should stay at this club
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