|
|
West Brom's Shane Long says Aston Villa's Alan Hutton has nothing to apologise for after returning from injury
The Irish striker returned after almost a month out to score the winning goal on Saturday, and does not have any ill feeling towards the Villa defender responsible for his lay off
21 Nov 2011 09:45:00
By Arthur Virgo
Getty Images
West Brom’s Shane Long insists Alan Hutton does not need to apologise after returning from an injury resulting from the Aston Villa defender’s challenge.
The Baggies striker has missed out for almost a month after suffering bone bruising and a small bone chip in his right knee following Hutton’s two-footed tackle.
He returned on Saturday to score the winning goal in the 2-1 home win over Bolton, and was keen to move on from the incident.
'There’s nothing for him [Hutton] to apologise for," he told The Daily Mail.
“I’m sure he never meant to crack a bone in my leg. We move on.”
When asked whether he was targeted deliberately, Long conceded that he came in for some rough treatment against the Villans: “I can’t really say that – but it felt like it anyway.
“I got kicked four or five times in my 10 minutes on the pitch - maybe I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!”
Long missed the Republic of Ireland’s victory over Estonia in their Euro 2012 playoff, but focused on the positives of returning sooner than expected.
He was expected to be out for up to six weeks following a scan, but manager Roy Hodgson will be pleased to have him back earlier, with the former Reading striker having settled in well scoring four goals so far in his debut season for the Baggies.
Long is West Brom's top scorer this season and his goal against Bolton lifted them into the top half of the table.
He added: “I’m just glad it wasn’t a lot longer than it has been. It’s only been four weeks so it could have been a lot worse."
“I knew it was going to be a bad enough injury at the time because I hadn’t felt a pain like that before. I was devastated because I felt I had just started to get going.
“I was just angry that I knew I was going to be out for a while. But I kept my head over the last three or four weeks, although the medical staff had to put up with a few rants and raves.”
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The Baggies striker has missed out for almost a month after suffering bone bruising and a small bone chip in his right knee following Hutton’s two-footed tackle.
He returned on Saturday to score the winning goal in the 2-1 home win over Bolton, and was keen to move on from the incident.
'There’s nothing for him [Hutton] to apologise for," he told The Daily Mail.
“I’m sure he never meant to crack a bone in my leg. We move on.”
When asked whether he was targeted deliberately, Long conceded that he came in for some rough treatment against the Villans: “I can’t really say that – but it felt like it anyway.
“I got kicked four or five times in my 10 minutes on the pitch - maybe I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!”
Long missed the Republic of Ireland’s victory over Estonia in their Euro 2012 playoff, but focused on the positives of returning sooner than expected.
He was expected to be out for up to six weeks following a scan, but manager Roy Hodgson will be pleased to have him back earlier, with the former Reading striker having settled in well scoring four goals so far in his debut season for the Baggies.
Long is West Brom's top scorer this season and his goal against Bolton lifted them into the top half of the table.
He added: “I’m just glad it wasn’t a lot longer than it has been. It’s only been four weeks so it could have been a lot worse."
“I knew it was going to be a bad enough injury at the time because I hadn’t felt a pain like that before. I was devastated because I felt I had just started to get going.
“I was just angry that I knew I was going to be out for a while. But I kept my head over the last three or four weeks, although the medical staff had to put up with a few rants and raves.”
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
