Striker Maynard has surgery as City suffer shock exit
BRISTOL City striker Nicky Maynard was today undergoing surgery on the troublesome knee that has kept him on the sidelines throughout the summer.
Last season's 21-goal top scorer could now be out of action for up to two months.
The news came on a black night for the Robins, who suffered a shock 3-2 Carling Cup first-round defeat to League Two Southend United at Roots Hall.
Maynard had earlier consulted a sports injury specialist, seeking a second opinion on the injury which ruled him out of the entirety of City's pre-season.
Manager Steve Coppell said: "Nicky will have an operation today.
"The specialist has found a problem and recommended surgery, but we will not know the full extent of the problem until he goes into the knee to see what is there.
"We're hoping it's not too serious and that it will be a case of four to five weeks before he is able to train."
To make matters worse, City lost skipper Cole Skuse to injury last night and the stand-in captain could be a doubt for Saturday's Championship clash against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Deployed as a makeshift centre-back against Southend, Skuse went off at half time and was replaced by Marvin Elliott. Coppell said: "Cole has strained a hamstring.
"He could have carried on, but the wet surface persuaded us to take him off as a precaution. We'll have to wait and see how he is."
Coppell is already resigned to the loss of Sam Vokes, the loan striker from Wolves, who limped off 13 minutes into his debut against Millwall last Saturday.
A hospital scan has since revealed a grade two hamstring tear and the 20-year-old Wales international will now be sidelined for between six to eight weeks.
Beaten by Millwall in their opening Championship fixture at Ashton Gate last Saturday, City suffered the added embarrassment of being dumped out of the cup.
The Robins twice led through Jamie McAllister and Ivan Sproule in normal time.
But plucky Southend refused to throw in the towel and hauled themselves back into the match, first through Matt Paterson from the penalty spot, and then courtesy of former City loan signing Barry Corr.
Paterson grabbed the glory 14 minutes into extra-time, heading in a Ryan Hall cross to send the League Two side through to the next round.
"We started well, but a few were found wanting when Southend changed formation to match up with us," admitted a bitterly disappointed Coppell.
"I cannot fault the lads for their effort, but they need help and I'm trying to bring players in. They've needed help from the first day I arrived at the club, but it's been difficult."
5 Comments
by Fred, Clevedon
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 5:25PM
“Very worried about the Donnies match last night.
So many heads down after the defeat to Southend means that the team are going to be really down on their confidence. Unless they can become real pofessionals and play as they should then there's going to be blood on the carpet somewhere this week-end or should be!”
by Rooster Booster, Clevedon
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 5:21PM
“Spot on George (London). Problem these things are obvious to many but management or the Board bury their heads in the sand.
Brian, your're right too.
Funny how when Southend matched up to the City formation they beat us. It goes to show that the team last night really were a lower Division team playing in the Championship! Trouble is their salaries don't reflect that fact!!!!!”
by George, LONDON
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 12:38PM
“There are two problems.
.Injuries to:
Carey
Haynes
Maynard
Cisse
All of those would be in most people's first XI.
We need them back.
Having Ribiero will help because Hunt is clearly not 100% and struggling for full fitness.He was also injured and, IMHO, should have started against Millwall.
The other players:
Nyatanga
Lennox
Ball
Wilson
wouldn't have been near the first XI.
Maynard's absence means we need FIVE players before the end of the deadline.
2.SIGNINGS
Left Back
Left Wing
Creative Midfield
Striker (Maynard long term-Haynes inj)
Target Man (Vokes out)
The three top ones have been needed since last season, so I'm disappointed we haven't found them.
The striker & TM is as a result of injuries, so that's an emegency that needs to be resolved immediately.
The time for talking's over, get them signed and if it costs, it costs, because our current team won't progress, indeed, the unthinkable is rapidly becoming thinkable and, with a new stadium pending, that would be a double disaster particularly as attendances would half in the current economic climate.
SC hasn't helped himself by signing a right winger and a right sided central midfelder when we already had three right wingers and two right sided central midfielders.
If the squad is to large when all players are fit we can sell or loan out the surplus players.
Sorry to players and management but you're ultra highly paid so act like it and sort it, please.”
by Brian, Clevedon
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 10:49AM
“Some of the players dont need help, they cant be helped.
So called Ist team players could not play at this standard, let alone the championship.
No need to point them out, just show them the exits to m4- m5.”
by Brian, Clevedon
Wednesday, August 11 2010, 10:47AM
“Some of the players dont need help, they cant be helped.
So called Ist team players could not play at this standard, let alone the championship.
No need to point them out, just show them the exits to m4- m5.”