0
Latham cleared of serious injury
April 08, 2008
WALLABIES fullback Chris Latham is hopeful of playing two more games for his beloved Queensland Reds after scans cleared him of major knee damage.
Latham was initially expected to be out for up to six weeks when he limped off in last round's Super 14 loss to the Cheetahs, leaving him a touch-and-go prospect to play in the final round clash against NSW on May 17.
However, Latham said he had pencilled in a return against the Crusaders on May 10, Queensland's second-last Super 14 clash.
Reds coach Phil Mooney said scans confirmed a grade two medial ligament injury, with no damage to the anterior cruciate ligament on Latham's right knee.
"A grade two medial is normally a four to six week injury but Latho is adamant he will be right to play against the Crusaders and against the Waratahs the week after that - that's his goal," Mooney said.
Latham said he was desperate to play at least two games for Queensland in his final Super 14 season.
He leaves Australia and links with English club Worcester after the 2008 Super 14 season.
"I always like to test myself against the best and the Crusaders are the best - so that's the game I'm aiming for," Latham said.
Latham recovered ahead of schedule last season from a knee reconstruction and is known as a quick healer.
Meanwhile, Mooney said Reds captain Sam Cordingley was likely to miss the Reds' next match against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium on April 18.
"We'll just monitor Sam's calf injury over the next week or so but I doubt he'll be ready for the Force match," he said.
"One consolation is that Benny Lucas has been playing some great footy at scrumhalf so this will be another opportunity for him to step up.
"He just gets better with every game."
AAP
Reply With Quote
