WeeklySA_AdminINJURY: Striker sidelined following tear in the cartilage of right knee
By WSAM Reporter
Kaizer Chiefs physiotherapist David Milner has provided an update on the knee operation undertaken by striker Samir Nurković, confirming he “could be out between six to eight weeks”.
A week after undergoing the operation on his right knee, the Serb striker has been recovering at his home in Johannesburg and working with the Chiefs medical team to plot a way back to fitness for him over the next few months. “Samir had surgery last week. They found a little tear in the cartilage of the right knee. The surgeon says he could be out between 6 to 8 weeks,” says Milner.
Milner explained the process of the operation. “They smoothed out the cartilage. Overall the operation was a success and he will be reassessed by the surgeon in a week’s time. We will have a clearer idea as to what is going on and plan the recovery process. We believe the timeline provided is one we can work with for now.” The striker is resting and recuperating after his surgery. “All is well,” confirms Nurković. “It has been just a week since surgery. I am still moving around with crutches, it’s still painful but I am getting better and hopefully soon we can start the rehab.”
The Serbian striker will visit the surgeon again next week and further information will be given out about his post-surgery recovery after that appointment. As it stands, he is expected to be back at training in the new year. Meanwhile,coach Stuart Baxter believes he saw enough from his side in the DStv Premiership draw against AmaZulu to give him and Amakhosi supporters encouragement for the rest of the season.
Chiefs needed a last-gasp Keagan Dolly penalty to salvage a point against Usuthu, but encouragingly they were dominant for much of a match which saw AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa in inspired form.
“I hope the supporters stick with us and they understand the journey that we are on. I think there is enough happening to encourage us to believe this could be very good if we can just shift that ten percent,” Baxter said after the AmaZulu game and ahead of this week’s international break.
The Chiefs mentor was full of praise for his team’s overall showing against AmaZulu, though he lamented their lack of concentration at key moments and their Achilles heel this season of not converting the raft of chances they are creating.
“I thought we played very well in the first half. What they had we contributed to with silly mistakes. They did not have many chances, but we had four chances and their keeper made unbelievable super saves,” says Baxter.
The Chiefs mentor is hopeful that the improved performance, as well as the dedication and commitment shown by his team, will carry on into their next game and has called on them to ramp up their performance a bit more.- kaizerchiefs.com
