Alex on mend after ‘terrible’ head injury
Linnets boss gives positive update on young defender
RUNCORN Linnets defender Alex Downes is on the mend after suffering a sickening injury during Saturday’s FA Cup win at Liversedge left him hospitalised.
The young defender received an elbow to the face during the final seconds of the tie, which Linnets won 2-0.
The opposing player involved in the incident was immediately sent off.
An ambulance was called and Downes was taken to Warrington Hospital.
Linnets manager Calum McIntyre, speaking after Tuesday’s 4-0 league win against Kidsgrove Athletic, praised those involved in the emergency response in caring for Downes.
“It was a terrible incident, something I don’t want to comment on - my thoughts are always with my players,” he said.
“Alex on the mend, we hope to see him sooner rather than later, he’s had the right level of care and is at home recuperating and dealing with his injury.
“As soon as we can get him back here and ready to see everyone we will. He’s a massive part of what we do, we are a very tightly knit group and we’ll certainly miss him.
“I think the right thing to do is to thank everyone involved in the emergency response. Luke Davis, our medical man, was unbelievable in the emergency care he offered, and equally all those involved in the emergency response involving getting the ambulance in and stuff like that.
“And equally our supporters, who showed Alex a lot of support at the time and I know how appreciative Alex and his family were of that.”
Linnets’ victory set up a tie against Bamber Bridge in the second round of qualifying for the competition.
And despite Downes’ injury marring the day, McIntyre’s men maintained their fine form with a 4-0 win at home against Kidsgrove in midweek with goals from Dapo Olarewaju Stuart Crilly Ryan Brooke and Iwan Murray.
“I’m as pleased as I’ve been since I came to the football club with this run of form,” said McIntyre. “Physically we’ve been up against it for the last ten days, up against it in terms of bodies - if you look at our unavailable list it’s always rising and bearing in mind the type of character we’re missing, for the lads to have performed the way they did on Tuesday, I’m delighted for them and for everyone at the club.”
Next up is another Northern Premier League Division One West clash against second-placed Clitheroe, managed by a close associate of McIntyre’s, David Lynch.
Linnets are just one point behind and it promises to be some match.
“This level gives you no time to dwell when you feel things are going well and equally, when things haven’t been right we haven’t had time to sulk about it,” said the Linnets boss.
“So we’ll start preparing for Clitheroe and it will be some test. Their manager is a very good friend of mine, they have some really talented individuals and have had a really good start to the season. But we’ll go there and try to give a good account of ourselves.”