Kyle to play in pain for title run
GOLD Coast City attacking dynamo Jarrod Kyle is prepared to play through some pain to be a part of his team’s chase of an NPL Queenslandand FFA Cup double.
Kyle, 24 and the scorer of 11 goals this year, freakishly sustained his third shoulder dislocation in seven seasons during City’s shock 1-0 loss to Western Force in a NPL Queensland clash at Duncan McKenna Field on Saturday night.
“It is dislocated (his right shoulder) but it popped straight back in,” Kyle said of the incident early in the first half.
“I reckon it’s 80 to 90 per cent that I won’t be playing next weekend against Moreton Bay United (in the NPL).
“But I desperately want to play in the FFA Cup round of 16 (against Moreton Bay United).
“I’m prepared to play with some painkillers because the NPLQ title and the FFA Cup are chances that don’t come around very often.”
Kyle has previously had shoulder surgery in 2011 when he was with English side Sheffield Wednesday and again in 2015 with Palm Beach Sharks (now known as Gold Coast City).
He said the incident during the contest when he sustained the injury was “100 per cent avoidable”.
“I knew the shoulder was definitely not dislocated until I felt a leg dragged across my arm when I was starting to get to my feet,” Kyle said.
Kyle’s misfortune, followed by the defeat, cast a gloom over the City camp.
The loss cost City ladder leadership to arch rivals Brisbane Strikers, who belted Brisbane Roar Youth 4-1 to claim top spot over City on goal difference.
With just one round to go before the start of the finals campaign, an eager City must now beat Moreton Bay United away and hope for Brisbane Olympic (third) to beat the Strikers.
Western Pride scored the only goal of Saturday night’s clash via Dylan Wenzell-Halls in the fourth minute.