1 week ago
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RESPECTED SPORTS medicine specialist Dr Paul Wright believes the recent injury to Reggae Boy striker Michail Antonio following last weekend’s car crash could be the end of his footballing career.
Wright, while speaking with RJRSPORTS, explained that Antonio’s strongest asset, his speed, could be severely affected due to the extent of the injuries.
“His forte was speed, and if you see how he plays for the Reggae Boyz, it’s his speed that we utilise. Therefore, coming from fractures like that at his age, I think he might just get a licence to be a coach and help other people,” said Wright.
The 34-year-old on Saturday was involved in a car crash after his Ferrari crashed into a tree in Essex County, England. The striker was reportedly trapped in his vehicle for 45 minutes before rescuers could free him after which he was airlifted to hospital, where he underwent surgery for a lower-leg fracture.
According to Dr Wright, the recovery process will be a lengthy one due to where the injuries were suffered.
“The legs have the worst blood supply in the entire body. That means it will take longer to heal than if his arms were cut. Whenever you get below the knees, that blood supply is poor, and healing becomes delayed,” he said.
Antonio has represented West Ham on 322 occasions, scoring a club record 83 goals. For Jamaica, he has scored five goals in 21 appearances. According to Dr Wright, it could take up to one year before the striker could even walk again.
“We suspect that he has internal fixation and it is a compound fracture. He has to be on antibiotics before, during, and after surgery. It will take some time before he gets going again. You’re looking at a rehabilitation for about nine to 12 months before he can even walk without crutches,” said Wright.
English (US) ·