Australia NewsBoogaard's Bizarre Injury |
EXCLUSIVE: Nigel Boogaard's mobile phone may have forced the Central Coast defender to miss Saturday night's crunch clash with Sydney FC.
To see the Mariners in training today...
As Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna told au.fourfourtwo.com at Bluetongue Stadium today, Boogaard has picked up a groin strain in a bizarre accident.
“Nigel is over his concussion that's kept him out for three weeks," revealed McKinna.
"But his phone went off at home on Sunday and he jumped up to get it. He then slipped on the tiles at his home and strained his groin.
"I'm serious - I'm not joking!”
Boogaard sat out training today. “We have a day off tomorrow [Wed] and hopefully by Thursday he'll be training. He's not done his chances any good because he's been out for three weeks before this,” added McKinna.
The Mariners trained twice today. One session was at Bluetongue, where they worked on shape, fitness work and set pieces and this was followed by a gym session in the afternoon.
“Boogs aside, everyone will be available for the weekend clash with Sydney,” said McKinna.
* In other Mariners news, McKinna said assistant coach Ian Ferguson would be staying at the A-League club after he was linked with the vacant post at Scottish club Dunfermline.
* Club chief Lyall Gorman returned from Europe last Saturday. He met with clubs such as Sheffield United, Aston Villa, and Glasgow Rangers to potentially cement links with them. He did not meet up with Dwight Yorke's reps.
* The Mariners are trialling a skillful attacking midfielder from the Ukraine who trained with the squad today. However, the triallist, who has been playing in Italy, failed to stand out in a training match today.
* The club is hoping that Thursday night's Carols By Candlelight at Bluetongue Stadium – with an estimated 6000 people sitting on the pitch – will not damage the surface for the A-League match 48 hours later.
To see the Mariners in training today...
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