Doctor shares Everton attacker Dwight McNeil long-term injury verdict
We’re delighted to welcome injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the injury situation at Everton...
Everton attacker Dwight McNeil faced months on the sidelines if he had picked up a serious ankle injury, according to Dr Rajpal Brar.
The injury expert reacted to the news of him needing a stretcher to be taken off the pitch in the FA Cup third round clash against Crystal Palace.
Sean Dyche, a few days later, cleared the air, claiming that the Toffees were lucky that he did not pick up a serious injury and the English winger was back in action.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Brar, a specialist in Physical Therapy and Sports Scientist, said about McNeil:
“Based on Dyche’s comments and relatively quick return timeline, this sounds like a Grade 1 ankle injury.
“Obviously, clubs fear the worst when a player needs to be stretchered off and initially it looked like he could even be months out.
“Dyche himself said that Everton got lucky and was back in action within no time so that’s a credit to the medical staff and the player himself.“
McNeil played just 27 minutes in his first game back against Aston Villa on the 14th, but then played 90 and 78 minutes against Crystal Palace and Luton Town.
Starting both games undoubtedly will have helped him regain his match sharpness as he is likely to be near a 100 per cent now.
He is expected to be in the playing eleven once again when the Toffees play host to Fulham on 30 January.
In other Everton news, the Toffees’ transfer deal to sign an in-form player in January will now include a £7m option to buy.
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