Footballers are no strangers to nasty injuries, with Huddersfield Town’s Jonathan Hogg the latest to be counted among them.
Huddersfield Town’s Jonathan Hogg after sustaining an injury
Footballers regularly have to deal with debilitating injuries that threaten a player’s career, keeping them out for months and even years while they recuperate. Jonathan Hogg, who fractured his neck while playing for Huddersfield Town only last month, returned in the club’s 3-0 win over Norwich City, and was concious of how lucky he was.
In an interview with the BBC, Jonathan Hogg said: “It felt worrying – I’d never felt pain like it.
“I’m a lucky boy to be out there because when the doctors said it was a fracture in my spine I feared the worst.”
First signs were that the 28-year-old would be ruled out for the season but further scans allowed him to return for the The Terriers midweek win against Norwich.
The Town midfielder will be conscious that he could have faced a long spell on the sidelines, having seen terrible injuries suffered by Seamus Coleman and Luke Shaw in recent years.
In the recent round of World Cup Qualifiers, Republic of Ireland and Everton midfielder Coleman suffered a double leg break following a dangerous tackle by Wales’ Neil Taylor.
The 28-year-old is expected to be out for six months, following surgery in which he had screws inserted into his right knee to aid with the recovery process.
Manchester United defender Shaw also suffered a double leg break during a Champion’s League game against PSV Eindhoven, which side lined the 21-year-old for 10 months.
In an interview with The Mirror, Shaw said: “I think when I did it the first thought that went through my head was, ‘am I going to play football again or how long am I going to be out for?’”
A player who suffered a similar injury to Huddersfield’s Hogg was rugby player Tom Croft.
Leicester and England international Croft broke his neck when he mistimed a tackle while playing for Leicester. He was out injured for eight months and a specialist had told him he could have been paralysed.
Jonathan Hogg might be counting his stars that he is able to play a part in Huddersfield’s promotion push, but he will surely be aware that, like most sports stars, it only takes one unlucky or mistimed moment to be put out of the game.
Republic of Ireland’s Seamus Coleman lies injured
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