Suns admit injured Day faces test

RODNEY Eade is unsure Sam Day will make a successful return to football or return to his best if he does.

Day dislocated hip suffered while trying to gather a ball in Gold Coast’s first JLT Community Series game against Brisbane on February 19 at the Broadbeach Cats’ home ground, Merrimac Oval.

The tall swingman has passed every part of his long rehabilitation program so far with flying colours.

But the rarity of the injury and length of recovery means Eade cannot be certain he will get Day back.

“There are not many people in world sport who have come back from that injury and performed to their previous level,” Eade said.

“It’s a very unusual injury and a major injury.

“All the check points thus far he has checked off and the surgeon is really happy.

“But he won’t be running properly until after Christmas.

“I wouldn’t have thought he would start the season next year. I would have thought it would be 12 to 18 months really to get the right amount of strength and recovery in the joint because it’s such a big joint and obviously a weight bearing joint.

“We have just got to take our time and not rush him.”