FEBIAN BRANDY INJURED AND OUT FOR A MONTH
Sunday 6 December
Gills have suffered an injury blow and a great loss with the important Christmas schedule of games fast approaching when it was revealed that loanee Febian Brandy (pictured left) has returned to Manchester United in an effort to recover from a thigh strain, which could keep him out for up to a month.
Febian was missing from the team that played on Saturday against Carlisle United, which ended in a nil, nil draw.
This was due to a tear in one of his thigh muscles, which occurred during last Tuesday’s game at Leyton Orient.
Manchester United were consulted and it was thought best that Febian returned to the Premier League side for further treatment with their highly experienced medical team.
Gills manager Mark Stimson said this morning (Sunday): “He’s a Manchester boy and he only lives round the corner from their training ground, so it’s pointless him being down here. I’m sure he’ll get as good treatment up there than he would here and fingers crossed he’s back sooner rather than later.”
Thankfully the tear is not considered serious but the Club has indicated that it will certainly keep the striker out for a fortnight and for longer if complications, possibly up to a month.
Febian’s loan spell is due to end in January.
Febian Brandy was one of the players caught up in Tuesday’s severe congestion around London and Brisbane Road, Leyton he only arrived at the Orient ground with just 40 minutes to go before kick-off.
Mark Stimson (right) has blamed the injury on the lack of warm-up time available to those arriving late. However, there was ample time for Febian to warm-up during the first half action and into the half-time break as he was among the substitutes.
Febian entered the action around the hour but Mark Stimson commented that missing the intense pre-game exercises played a role but admitted 20-year-old Brandy could and possibly should have done more to prepare himself.
Reporting to Kent News, Stimson said: “He had maybe 10 minutes warm-up before the game, then sat still – not for 45 minutes because they are up and down doing little bits and pieces but it’s nothing really. You’ve seen the subs here, they jog to the far end, stretch and watch the game.
“At half-time he did a little bit but nowhere near the intensity of a normal warm-up. That’s why we tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, I said to him straight after half-time ’15 minutes you’re going on’, he’s then tried to get himself as warm as he can but once you take all your clothing off and go on to a cold arena and you just need one quick movement and he felt something.”
Brandy has made six appearances for the Gills so far, scoring one goal but earning three penalties with his quick turning and action in the area. He will be sorely missed at Huddersfield this coming Saturday.