Rugby Union: Injury woe continues for coach O’Callaghan

Nov 7 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

Injury woe continues for coach O’Callaghan

WHILE not prepared to make excuses for Waterloo’s hesitant start to the season head coach Chris O’Callaghan has certainly had more than his fair share of injury problems with which to contend.

“We have never been able to turn out the same 15 from one week to the next and that obviously has had an effect on what is virtually a new side coming together,” he said.

“We have played some good rugby but unfortunately we have lacked consistency and I am hoping that will change when we can select from a full compliment of players.”

Last week the Merseysiders were without backs and they were forced to play a back row forward, Matt Bradley, on the wing.

Neil Kerfoot has not set foot on a field at all this season after suffering a groin injury at the end of last term. The good news is that he is in light training and is hoping to be back before Christmas.

Dan Loader, who suffered a broken arm, is expected to be out for at least four weeks but for Chris Parrott, who dislocated a shoulder playing for Sale Jets, the prognosis is at least two months after undergoing surgery.

Steven Dodd has had a scan on a spinal injury with the club waiting for the results which are expected later this week.

Scrum half Luke Stringer had an operation on a groin injury on Monday but can expect to be sidelined for at least a month.

On the positive side Pablo Freijoo has returned from duty with the Spanish international squad unscathed and will be in line for selection for the visit to Wharfedale on Saturday.

Club captain Martin O’Keefe, who was out earlier in the campaign with a leg injury which became infected, has now fully recovered after making his comeback from the bench and hooker Chris Tyms, after two dislocated shoulders both of which required surgery, has had a run-out with the seconds with no ill effects.

Waterloo have also signed former Llanelli hooker and back row forward Aled Gravell, who after a short period out of the game, has moved to live in Southport and is eager to start playing again.

Having someone who has played full time in the Magners League on their books should add much needed experience on the field.