Bristol City striker's treatment split club's physio and doctor

Bristol City's physio was reluctant to discuss the rehabilitation of striker Steve Brooker with the team doctor, a misconduct hearing has been told.

John Wiley is accused of botching the treatment of Mr Brooker after a knee operation.

The 28-year-old had been expected to play a 'vital role' for City after their promotion to the Coca Cola Championship in 2007 but was left unable to fully extend his leg.

Wiley, of Brislington, allegedly failed to monitor his progress and went off on holiday without leaving instructions that Brooker needed daily treatment.

A hearing into his conduct by the Health Professions Council started in February but was adjourned. It reopened yesterday with club doctor Heather Montague saying she disagreed with Wiley's treatment of the injured player.

She said: "He (Wiley) became increasingly reluctant to discuss players' treatment plans.

"I had concerns he wasn't carrying out the rehabilitation of Patient A [Brooker] the way I'd expect."

Sue Sleaman, for Wiley, said the 'problem' was that Dr Montague wanted to sign-off Wiley's treatment plans.

Dr Montague said it was essential Wiley discussed treatment with her "in greater depth" to protect him in case anything went wrong.

She said: "The physiotherapist is left in an exposed situation. I think it's very unfair to expect a chartered physio to work over a full spectrum of clinical knowledge, including illness."

Dr Montague insisted she had no "axe to grind" over Wiley's treatment.

But Ms Sleaman claimed she was constantly "undermining" Wiley, "criticising and placing excessive demands on him".

Dr Montague replied: "It's really strange for you to be accusing me of things like that. I'm amazed that it's come to this level of accusation."

The HPC has heard how Mr Brooker was given an arthroscopy after a series of knee problems throughout the 2006/7 season.

He had the operation in May 2007 in the hope he would be ready for pre-season training in July.

It is claimed Wiley failed to see him often enough, did not understand the condition and failed to communicate with other staff at the club.

Mr Brooker had to have a second operation in June but the surgeon only agreed to go ahead on the condition Wiley had nothing to do with the recovery, the hearing was told.

The player has since left Bristol City for Championship rivals Doncaster Rovers.

Elizabeth Taheni, for the HPC, said Wiley also demonstrated a lack of basic knowledge by claiming the player's lack of extension was due to his stitches, when the real problem was fluid in the joint.

On July 13 2007 Wiley noted that Mr Brooker was "progressing well", when Dr Montague's verdict was "progress was almost certainly not happening", it was said.

Wiley, who is at the hearing, denies all allegations and misconduct.

The hearing continues.