Injury devastation for Spireites defender after New Zealand international duty

Chesterfield have been hit by yet another serious injury, this time to defender Liam Graham.
Picture by Lawrence Smith/AHPIX.com. Football, Sky Bet League One; 
Charlton Athletic v Chesterfield FC; 29/10/2016 KO 1500;  
The Valley;
copyright picture;Howard Roe/AHPIX.com
Liam Graham of Chesterfield tackles Charltonâ¬"s Ricky Holmes at todayâ¬"s league 1 match at The ValleyPicture by Lawrence Smith/AHPIX.com. Football, Sky Bet League One; 
Charlton Athletic v Chesterfield FC; 29/10/2016 KO 1500;  
The Valley;
copyright picture;Howard Roe/AHPIX.com
Liam Graham of Chesterfield tackles Charltonâ¬"s Ricky Holmes at todayâ¬"s league 1 match at The Valley
Picture by Lawrence Smith/AHPIX.com. Football, Sky Bet League One; Charlton Athletic v Chesterfield FC; 29/10/2016 KO 1500; The Valley; copyright picture;Howard Roe/AHPIX.com Liam Graham of Chesterfield tackles Charltonâ¬"s Ricky Holmes at todayâ¬"s league 1 match at The Valley

The club have confirmed that the right-back has ruptured his ACL, an injury likely to end his 2016/17 season.

It’s a big blow for a player who had began to emerge in the professional game this season, making his full international debut for New Zealand and going on to win four caps.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was in All Whites action that the 24-year-old suffered the knock during the latest international break, while taking on New Caledonia.

Rodger Wylde, the Spireites head of sports science and medicine, said it will take six months for the defender to recover.

“He jumped to head a ball, landed and twisted, immediately feeling pain in his left knee. He carried on for a few minutes but was then brought off and assessed out there.

“Initially the New Zealand physio team thought it was an issue with the meniscus and when he arrived back I agreed but felt more laxity then I would expect in the joint at the ACL.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Liam was sent for a scan and that revealed a ruptured ACL and an effected meniscus. We sought the advice of a specialist in London and he agreed, now Liam will be having a reconstruction at some point this week.”

Town were also left frustrated yesterday when a frozen pitch forced the postponement of their reserve clash with Notts County.

Boss Danny Wilson had considered using the fixture to give much needed game time to first team players like Ched Evans.