Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett has confirmed that full back Neal Eardley will miss at least the rest of the season after picking up a serious injury. The former Oldham Athletic defender has already been out injured with a knee problem, but has now suffered a fresh cruciate ligament problem. He suffered the problem in the recent FA Cup clash against AFC Bournemouth.
Former Burton Albion boss Rowett believes that Eardley ‘seems to be the unluckiest player going at the moment’ after he made his comeback from injury against the Premier League opponents, only to suffer another problem. A similar issue occurred earlier this season when he returned from injury, but has suffered a very lengthy setback. Rowett believes he will miss ‘the season and a little bit more.’
The Blues manager believes no player deserves this type of bad fortune but he insists that the club will stick by him and help him through his recovery,
“My heart goes out to him. That’s the different side to it, we are talking about winning games, bringing players in but sometimes just as importantly, someone in your squad gets a bit of bad news like that.
It’s about sticking together and helping him through it. He’s got a family and it’s a tough time when you get another bit of news like that.
Where we can we will be as supportive of him as we can and keep his spirits raised. The lads are scraping him off the floor in the treatment room.”
The 27-year-old Welsh international moved to St Andrews from Blackpool in May 2013. He started the first seven games of the following season, but his injury problems soon came to haunt him. Last season he had a brief loan spell with Leyton Orient and enjoyed a brief run in the side in December before injuries once again returned. Paul Caddis is therefore set for a lengthy run in the side at right back.
