No Real deal for Sterling
YOU CAN WIN THIS BATTLE SAYS BUSST
AS HEUNGMIN SON recoiled in dismay over Andre Gomes’ horror injury and players held their heads in their hands, the scenes at Goodison brought back memories of the plight of David Busst.
It was at Old Trafford on April 8, 1996, when the Coventry defender suffered an appalling broken leg which punctured his skin, shedding blood on the pitch, and saw Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel rush away to be sick.
Busst (inset) admits a day rarely goes by when he does not think back to it. He was caught in the middle of challenges from United’s Brian McClair and Denis Irwin at the back post at a corner.
Now 52, Busst had 10 operations in his first 12 days in a six-week spell in hospital. Eventually he had 23, with his nightmare compounded by an MRSA infection which left him with a right leg he quips now resembles “a shark bite”. He never played again.
Busst now works for Sky Blues In The Community and hopes that huge progress in medical science should ensure a more successful recovery for Gomes.
He said: “For the first few days he will have questions like, ‘Will I play again? What is the extent of the injury and when can I start training again?’ It is all those questions and no-one will be able to give the exact answers.
“You have those questions of self-doubt but no two injuries are the same and for me it is whether the injury stayed in came out of the skin.
“But technology has moved on from 23 years ago.
“Also, nowadays, all the players are heavily insured and all the financial concerns which I went through won’t apply.
“It will be about the physical and mental side of getting through this, but all footballers generally are mentally resilient.
“Hopefully it was a clean break – with mine it was a spiral fracture, which is one of the worst ones you can have.
“But s**t happens and you get on with it. Set small, achievable goals and move forwards.”
Gomes’ injury left the star screaming in agony and had Son in tears and Busst admits the ordeal will continue to affect everyone involved, from players to even spectators.
He added: “I meet up with old Coventry team-mates and they tell me their perspective. Everyone saw it from different angles.
“I also get fans telling me they were at that game too and can recall Schmeichel being sick.
“Ultimately we all have respect for our fellow professionals.
“Son will be feeling could he have done anything else, was it a freak accident?
“The worst injuries are cruciate injuries and leg breaks but before they used to be career threatening and now it is not as bad, with technology moving on.” the skin or overturn the red card South Korean Son received as a result of his challenge. The referee originally awarded a yellow which was then overturned by VAR.
Spurs have also arranged for counselling to help Son get over the trauma, but there is a fear the Belgrade clash comes too soon.
He was visibly upset after his initial challenge caused the Everton man to catch his ankle in the turf seconds before colliding with Serge Aurier.
Son was consoled by Everton skipper Seamus Coleman, who had recovered from a similarly horrific injury, and the Spurs star is expected to make contact with Gomes in the coming days.
After Gomes, 26, had surgery to repair the injury at Aintree hospital, Everton said in a statement: “The procedure went extremely well. The Portugal international will now spend some time recovering in hospital before returning to Finch Farm to start his rehabilitation under the guidance of the club’s medical staff.”
Saying they expected him to make a full recovery, the Toffees added: “On behalf of Andre, the club would like to thank all Everton supporters and members of the wider football family for the overwhelming messages of support.”
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is hoping star striker Harry Kane has recovered from the virus which saw him miss the Everton game in time to play tomorrow. MANCHESTER CITY will reject any attempt by Real Madrid to prise away Raheem Sterling in a Gareth Baleplus-£70m swoop.
Senior figures at the champions have laughed off the proposal as “absurd”.
The City forward has emerged as one of the best players in the world following a stunning run of form in the last 18 months.
He starred for England in the World Cup in Russia and played an integral part as the Etihad club sealed back-to-back Premier League titles.
And City boss Pep Guardiola feels Sterling can succeed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player on the planet.
The 24-year-old signed a new deal 12 months ago worth up to £300,000 a week including bonuses.
The contract keeps him at the club until 2023 and Guardiola has no intention of selling his prize asset, even with Wales star Bale, 30, as part of the move.