WORNER’S LEFT PRAYING
ROSS WORNER will seek a last-ditch second opinion in a bid to save his season as the heartbroken Sutton United goalkeeper faces a year on the sidelines.
The 27-year-old – whose performances in the club’s first National League season and the FA Cup last year earned him rave reviews – has revealed he may not play again until 2018-19.
Agonisingly, his ACL injury was self-inflicted. Worner’s early summer run while killing time at home had severe consequences.
He has been told by doctors he won’t be back this season but an appointment with a specialist is expected in the next few weeks to determine once and for all if there is a way back before next summer.
The National Game Awards Goalkeeper of The Year in 2016, Worner is cut up about his poor fortune but whatever the official results from his next scan he has vowed to bounce back stronger for the bitter experience. He told The
NLP: “It happened when I went on a pre-season run at home. I always try to get out and keep myself fit, those who say goalkeepers don’t need to be in peak shape aren’t right. Everything was fine and then all of a sudden I felt it go. I knew it was a ligament issue there and then, my only hope was that it wasn’t too serious. “But it was. The scan results produced the bad news I didn’t want, and I have been trying to get my head around it ever since. “The club have been fantastically supportive. I’m going to go for a second opinion just in case, I’m still hopeful and keeping my spirits up as I would love to play again this season. “It’s a case of wait and see but I’m gutted. I’m not good at watching football and I’d rather be out there playing but I’m going to keep involved for however long it takes. I’ll be doing everything I can to come back even stronger.”
Sutton, though, are in safe hands in the meantime. New goalkeeper Jamie Butler has been thrown in at the deep end but he says it’s an opportunity he will grasp.
Paul Doswell has total faith in the former Braintree Town and Hemel Hempstead player, with AFC Wimbledon’s promotion winning keeper Seb Brown acting as back up.
Butler said: “I’m gutted for Ross, he’s a great guy and a brilliant goalkeeper. I’ve just got to make sure his absence isn’t felt and take the chance I’ve got.”