Collingwood cannot affirm a timeline on Jeremy Howe’s return from a critical arm damage however the star defender has assured coach Craig McRae he expects to make a swift restoration.
McRae revealed he spoke to Howe earlier than he had surgical procedure to restore his fractured arm on Saturday, the defender claiming he was “a good bone-healer” earlier than he went underneath the knife.
Howe suffered the damage in a marking-contest collision with Geelong’s Tyson Stengle within the Magpies’ opening-round win in opposition to Geelong.
“I went to the hospital and saw him early in the morning and he was still in his footy shorts and about to have an operation … he actually said he’s a great bone-healer, I don’t know what that means,” McRae advised Fox Footy.
“We’re not in a position to make comment yet, there’s still a bit to play out … we’ll know more in a couple of weeks.
“He’s left hospital in the present day and we’ll assess within the couple of weeks the place that is at.
“We love him enormously and we want to make sure he’s OK.”
McRae responded to a News Corp column suggesting Howe had an obligation of care to Stengle, who was operating again with the flight of the ball earlier than the defender made contact together with his knee.
It was claimed Howe’s actions may have “busted” Stengle’s jaw and cheekbone and left him with long-term mind points.
“I read that with interest I must admit … it’s the instincts of the player, you’re asking a player not to attack the footy hard,” McRae stated.
“He’s one of the greatest exponents of the aerial part of our game.
“So you are asking do not run and launch on the ball, that is one thing that is actually troublesome to do.
“We’re taught this as kids … go with the ball hard, the ball is your focus. You watch the footage, the ball was always his focus.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
