Andrew Crofts has been backed to win his second major fitness fight this year – by the man with whom he shared a treatment room.
The Wales international is expected to miss the rest of the season after worst fears over a knee injury were confirmed.
Crofts suffered a partial tear of his anterior cruciate ligament and a tear to the meniscus in an innocuous looking tussle during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Watford.
It is his second serious injury to his right knee in nine months.
But former colleague Andrea Orlandi is confident he will come back if he responds as he did last season.
Orlandi has contacted Crofts, who has undergone MRI scans and exploratory surgery in London.
The Blackpool midfielder said: “We were out injured at the same time last season. But you would not have known he was injured to look at him because he stayed very positive.
“The medical set-up at Brighton under Adam Brett is really good. There is no worry about that. I know Crofty was feeling good this season. But with your knee you could just have a millimetre of the wrong movement and you have a problem. Maybe your foot gets stuck or something.”
Crofts’ previous knee injury came at home to Birmingham nine months ago.
Orlandi said: “What I remember was how he was back running before the end of last season – and at a good pace, which was surprising.
“He really looks after himself and keeps very fit. He never eats more than he needs to, his body fat is low and he is a really top professional.
“But the big thing is he keeps a very positive outlook. He has to do that all again.”
On-loan midfielder Gary Gardner was among the first to tweet a message of support to Crofts, 30, when the injury was confirmed yesterday.
Gardner, who came through two cruciate injuries early in his career, tweeted: “Devastated for Crofty great lad and know he will be back strong and ready speedy recovery mate!”
Boss Sami Hyypia is assessing his midfield options with Dale Stephens and Solly March also injured. He could move into the loan market. Hyppia said: “We are all devastated for Crofty.”
Crofts is under contract until the end of next season after agreeing an extension recently.
Original article
The Wales international is expected to miss the rest of the season after worst fears over a knee injury were confirmed.
Crofts suffered a partial tear of his anterior cruciate ligament and a tear to the meniscus in an innocuous looking tussle during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Watford.
It is his second serious injury to his right knee in nine months.
But former colleague Andrea Orlandi is confident he will come back if he responds as he did last season.
Orlandi has contacted Crofts, who has undergone MRI scans and exploratory surgery in London.
The Blackpool midfielder said: “We were out injured at the same time last season. But you would not have known he was injured to look at him because he stayed very positive.
“The medical set-up at Brighton under Adam Brett is really good. There is no worry about that. I know Crofty was feeling good this season. But with your knee you could just have a millimetre of the wrong movement and you have a problem. Maybe your foot gets stuck or something.”
Crofts’ previous knee injury came at home to Birmingham nine months ago.
Orlandi said: “What I remember was how he was back running before the end of last season – and at a good pace, which was surprising.
“He really looks after himself and keeps very fit. He never eats more than he needs to, his body fat is low and he is a really top professional.
“But the big thing is he keeps a very positive outlook. He has to do that all again.”
On-loan midfielder Gary Gardner was among the first to tweet a message of support to Crofts, 30, when the injury was confirmed yesterday.
Gardner, who came through two cruciate injuries early in his career, tweeted: “Devastated for Crofty great lad and know he will be back strong and ready speedy recovery mate!”
Boss Sami Hyypia is assessing his midfield options with Dale Stephens and Solly March also injured. He could move into the loan market. Hyppia said: “We are all devastated for Crofty.”
Crofts is under contract until the end of next season after agreeing an extension recently.
Original article