Football Food For Thought / Frank Gregan / 22 April 2008 /

Legendary Non-League manger Frank Gregan looks at how the likes of Petr Cech, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney have all played recently whilst carrying injuries and wonders whether they were right in doing so

A common expression in the Army after a night of over indulgence is "I've got a headache that would kill a Civvy!" The Civvy in question would certainly not be the Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech who has been playing with 50 stitches in his head after incurring a training ground injury after a clash with Tal Ben Haim. To make matters worse, the injury is to his chin and lip, and we all know how painful mouth injuries can be. I bet he hasn't eaten many packets of salt and vinegar crisps recently! No wonder he is continuing to wear all the protective padding, I'd be asking the kit manager for a diver's helmet. I loved the quote from his manager. In his best deadpan manner, Grant, the master of understatement said "Petr has been a bit unlucky this season!" Unlucky! King Harold had a better time at Hastings!

It does however, show tremendous loyalty to the cause. Cech's presence is immense and you can guarantee that the team gets a huge lift when they see his name on the team sheet. The same can be said of Steven Gerrard and Rafael Benitez will no doubt be hoping that he is able to name his influential midfielder for tonight's match against Chelsea. Gerrard has a neck injury (perhaps he should seek some advice from Bert Trautmann!) and the worry will be that if he plays and aggravates it, it will mean that he will be unavailable for a longer period. The physios will have a huge say in the matter, as will the player, but it is Benitez who has to make a balanced judgement.

I imagine that if the advice from the medical staff is that this game has come just a few days too early and that if he misses tonight he will then be 100% fit he may well decide that he has to leave him out. However, if the player is making all the right noises, given the magnitude of the game tonight he may well be tempted to take the gamble. It's why the Spaniard gets paid big bucks!

The Wayne Rooney injury at the weekend was a different situation. He looked to be struggling with a hip injury for almost twenty minutes before he eventually received the shepherd's crook against Blackburn. There is no doubting how important that game was in the context of the season and the late equaliser may well prove priceless given the goal difference situation. The medical staff will have been monitoring the situation and if there had e been an issue in relation to him making the injury worse by playing on, I feel sure they would have got him off. The general rule of thumb is that if it is impact, a blow rather than an internal muscular issue then the player is safe to continue. A break tends to be the exception to that rule!

Rooney will be needed tomorrow night when Man United visit Barcelona. The overall winner market for the Champions League is fascinating. United are currently [2.76] to lay and given the quality of the other three teams left in the event I think that is very tempting. Liverpool are available to back at [4.8] and Chelsea at [4.5]. I think I will stick to the strategy that I recommended a couple of months ago when I suggested backing Chelsea to win the title at [7.6] and laying them when their odds shortened. They are still not short enough for me and I will be backing them again at [4.5] with a view to laying them if they make the final. I think the heroics of Cech deserve a little loyalty in return!

Players take inspiration from players who play through the pain barrier and lead by example. I wouldn't be surprised to see Steven Gerrard out there tonight. A neck brace might not have the same effect as Terry Butcher's bloody bandage but it would give all of Anfield a lift. Petr Cech will be out there with his protective headgear. His head might be a worry but there is nothing wrong with his heart!

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