Woody
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 Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:43 pm Post subject: Nicholls |
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KO FOR KEV
by Phil Hay
Leeds United were urgently assessing the condition of Kevin Nicholls today after the midfielder sustained a fresh knee injury at West Brom.
Nicholls was carried from the field on a stretcher during the second half of United's 4-2 defeat at The Hawthorns on Saturday, and the club fear the 27-year-old has aggravated the problem which forced him to miss the start of the season.
A damaged medial ligament – sustained during Nicholls' first training session following his £700,000 from Luton in July – kept him out of United's line-up until the Championship clash with Sunderland last month, and the midfielder looks set for another spell on the sidelines having left West Brom on crutches.
Caretaker boss John Carver said: "We think it might be his medial ligament. He's had a problem and that's why he missed the start of the season. We'll get him in, assess the damage and see what the situation is. He looks like he could be out for a few weeks.
"I feel for him because he's worked so hard to get himself into contention."
Nicholls' original injury was initially expected to sideline him for three months, but he cut his recovery period in half after rehabilitation.
A repeat of the problem, though, would subject him to another long and frustrating absence, and United's medical staff were due to discover the full extent of the damage today.
Carver received some welcome news on Saturday, however, after X-rays banished initial fears that Gary Kelly had broken his foot at The Hawthorns.
Kelly was withdrawn at the break after injuring himself off the ball, and the full-back was driven to hospital for an examination while his team-mates played out the second half.
But Kelly has escaped with heavy bruising, and the fortnight-long international break should allow him to return to contention in time for United's Championship game against Stoke City at Elland Road on October 14.
Carver is still expected to hold the reins for that game, although it is not yet clear whether Leeds chairman Ken Bates intends to name a permanent successor to Kevin Blackwell during the next two weeks.
United's caretaker boss is still favourite to take charge on a full-time basis, although the 41-year-old quashed claims that Bates had already extended his appointment until the end of the season.
Carver said: "That's not true. I spoke to the chairman and he's not said anything.
"My priority is to get this football club back up the league. I'll give it my best shot."
Things can only get better 
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